KARACHI, Jan 3: Chief of his own faction of the Pakistan Muslim League Mian Nawaz Sharif will soon visit Sindh to mobilise support for the restoration of the independent judiciary, revision of the country’s foreign policy especially on the war on terror, and the proposals for 18th constitutional amendment.

Addressing a news conference at the Karachi Press Club on Saturday, PML-Nawaz MNA Hanif Abbasi announced that the party would move the 18th constitutional amendment proposals in the coming session of parliament.

Flanked by party leaders Saleem Zia and Hanif Butt, Mr Abbasi reiterated the PML-N’s position on the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law. He also talked about the breach of promises by the Pakistan People’s Party on the removal of 58(2)b and the 17th amendment and revisiting the policy on war on terror. He criticised the government for being unable to protect national integrity in the face of drones attacks and violation of Pakistan’s airspace by India.

When Mr Abbasi was asked what had prevented his party from bringing the amendment bill to parliament, he said in an unconvincing tone that his leadership paused because of the promises made by the PPP. Now the PML was preparing a draft of the proposed 18th amendments, he added.

He criticised President Zardari for describing the airspace violation by India as a technical mistake.

When his attention was drawn to Pakistan Air Force spokesman’s subsequent statement, expressing exactly what the President and Prime Minister had said on the basis of a relevant department’s briefing, Mr Abbasi recalled the air chief’s reported statement with regard to action against the American drones. The air chief had stated that the PAF was capable of intercepting drones but it was for the government and the political leadership to decide how to handle the matter, he quoted.

But the PML leader parried the question issue whether his party inquired from the air force if it could also withstand the reprisal attacks by the US-led coalition in that event.