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LAHORE: Nawaz Sharif has again offered an ‘olive branch’ to President Asif Ali Zardari, saying he is ready to cooperate with the latter provided he implements the Charter of Democracy.
The former prime minister, however, ruled out any ‘positive outcome’ in his meeting with the PPP co-chairman in the absence of the president’s resolve to “fight corruption and implement the CoD”.
“We are ready to support the PPP government provided the president implements the charter. All is not lost. The country’s condition can still be changed if sincere efforts are made,” Mr Sharif told reporters at the residence of a PML-N worker here on Thursday.
In reply to a question about the JUI-F’s withdrawal from the federal government, Mr Sharif made his party’s stance clear: “The PML-N will not be part of any unconstitutional and undemocratic effort against the government. Dictators go for unconstitutional ways to oust democratic governments.
“We do not get carried away by the current scenario. The PML-N takes its own decisions. To please some people we will not prefer personal interest to national (interest).”
Mr Sharif said he had written to the president for implementation of the CoD and suggested ways to deal with the current challenges, but he had not received a ‘detailed’ reply.
Mr Sharif regretted that the PPP had done nothing to form a ‘truth commission’ despite having agreed to do so.
PML-Q ELATED On the other hand, the PML-Q appeared to be in a wait-and-see mode, refusing to give good news to either side.
Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, the former chief minister, did not try to hide his jubilation over the pivotal role his party finds itself in after the JUI-F’s departure.
“Today my party’s opponents are admitting its importance. Both the offices of president and prime minister are contacting us.
“However, we will take a decision to (join the government) after consulting party members,” he said while talking to reporters.
Chaudhry Pervaiz said his party had nothing to do with the ‘conspiracies being hatched in Islamabad.
