Memo issue: Nawaz for 'special' inquiry committee

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif on Friday said that the issue of writing a memo to the former US the chairman of joint chiefs of staff committee Adm Mike Mullen is a very serious and sensitive matter, and called for enquiring the matter through a special committee comprising men of integrity to unfold the truth and facts.
"The proposed inquiry committee, which should comprise of men of integrity, hailing from members of Senate and National Assembly, judiciary, civil society and lawyers community, should be given the task of completing the inquiry within 10-15 days so that facts can be brought before the nation," he said, while talking to reporters at his Model Town residence.
Nawaz said that such issues should not be ignored, as the country's sovereignty comes first. "All other issues are of secondary nature, and there can be no compromise on issues that are linked with the country's sovereignty," he said, adding that "entrusting this matter to a commission would be like putting it into cold storage."
He mentioned instance of the commission on Abbottabad issue and said one of the members of this commission, General Nadeem, had announced the "decision" at his own. "About 6-7 months have elapsed, and what is outcome of proceedings of commission on Abbottabad Commission?" he questioned. He said that nations which have to move forward never ignore incidents like Abbottabad, and that of writing such a memo. "The need of the hour is to tell the truth to the nation on such incidents," he added. He also said the PML-N had always upheld the country's sovereignty and rendered sacrifices in this regard.
When asked about statement of PML-N leader Mohammad Asif regarding tendering resignation by PML-N legislators from assemblies, he said that Asif used to express his views in the party's meetings and what he had said was his personal views. "We respect views of party members, but take decisions with consultation," he added.
Nawaz said that the PML-N would never support any extra-constitutional and undemocratic move to overthrow the government. "We would never support any establishment-sponsored illegal and unconstitutional move," he said, adding that "we must learn from the past and stop hands of those who dismembered the country, accepted all demands of the US after 9/11 and paved the way for Indo-Pak wars." He called for exposing these elements and foiling their nefarious designs.
About his meeting with Mahmud Qureshi, Nawaz said that he had already met Qureshi who intends to join PML-N, "and we also desire to take him in the PML-N. In the upcoming meeting, we would discuss the matter". When asked about allegations levelled against Hamza Shahbaz, the PML-N president said that his party had already set examples by taking actions against sitting MNAs and MPAs. When some concrete things appeared, action is taken against the party member irrespective of his status and footing in the party. He said he would address the public meeting PML-N is holding at Faisalabad on November 20. Nawaz said the PML-N is waging a just struggle for securing the future of coming generations.