Nine-point agenda to government: say 'yes' or 'no' in three days, says Nawaz

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) gave a three-day deadline to Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani to accept or reject for implementation his nine-point agenda formulated by PML-N Central Organising Committee (COC) on Tuesday. However, later a party spokesman said that the deadline has been extended due to the assassination of Governor Punjab Salmaan Taseer.
"Now the deadline will start after official mourning of death of Governor Punjab," said a statement issued by party's Secretary Information Ahsan Iqbal. The PML-N's COC met with party's chief Nawaz Sharif in the chair here at Punjab House in the backdrop of a meeting of Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif with Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani the other day, what political analysts described a desperate bid to shore up support and make new allies after the MQM withdrew its support to the coalition.
The meeting was attended by party's central and provincial leadership including Leader of the Opposition in National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, party's president and Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif, Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, Raja Zafar-ul-Haq and Sardar Mehtab Abbasi.
Later, briefing media persons at a news conference regarding the decisions of the meeting, Nawaz Sharif said the meeting has finalised a broad -based agenda which the government had 45 days, until February 20, 2011 to seriously pursue if it choose to work with the PML-N.
The agenda mainly comprised immediate withdrawal of increase in petroleum products prices, removal of 'corrupt' ministers and replacement of these with noble and qualified persons, a 30 percent cut in government expenditures, implementation of Supreme Court's decision on National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO), re-organisation of Election Commission, a significant cut in the size of the federal cabinet, bringing all those to justice involved in the scams of Hajj, Steel Mills, NICL, sugar, setting up of an independent accountability system, return of written-off loans worth billions of rupees, relief to masses in the overall price hike and clear and concerted steps aimed at ensuring Pakistan's sovereignty.
He said if the government did not perform effectively in 45 days, then "We will be compelled to say them (PPP) 'goodbye' from Punjab," he said. PPP is a coalition partner of PML-N led government. He termed the agenda a 'people's agenda', adding that it was not his personal outline and the progress in 45 days should be visible to nation. "It is a proposal to steer Pakistan out of the prevailing quagmire," he said. "These 45 days are subject to a 'yes' or 'no' and the government has to show seriousness and progress on its implementation," he added.
Nawaz said that in case the government expressed inability to take the agenda forward, then the PML-N would invite other opposition parties for the implementation of the plan. He said that a three-member committee has also been constituted for establishing contacts with other parties. Responding to a question, he said if the government failed to move forward the agenda "then there is a need for a fresh mandate for a strong government."
When asked whether the PML-N could re-join the coalition for implementation of the agenda, he said, "No, we will not rejoin the coalition rather the party will extend its co-operation to the government while sitting on opposition benches and we will give a clear assurance for the implementation of the agenda."
To another question, Nawaz said that PML-N would not, on its own, move a no-confidence motion against the Prime Minister, adding that the PML-N would not allow 'horse-trading' in the National Assembly and Senate. When asked about mid-term election or change of Prime Minister of the party, Nawaz said, "Who will change the Prime Minister and who is forwarding this agenda? We have to see yet," he said, adding that "we have to follow the agenda irrespective of faces whoever it is."
The PML-N's chief referred to March 09, 2008, saying that his party joined the ruling coalition under an agreement and parted its ways when the accord was violated. He said now two other coalition partners also parted their ways. He also mentioned that he wrote a letter to President Asif Ali Zardari but he added that the reply he received was mere fiction.