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Saturday, April 21, 2012
Nawaz never called for Siachen pullout: PML-NBy Tanveer Ahmed
ISLAMABAD: Within a couple of days of suggesting withdrawal of forces from Siachen, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Friday backtracked from its stance and said the party chief had proposed that Pakistan should take the lead in talks on the dispute.
PML-N leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan made the clarification during a press conference along side party President Nawaz Sharif.
“Mian sahib did not suggest a unilateral withdrawal of troops from Siachen,” Nisar said, adding, “What we said was Pakistan should lead a dialogue with India over the issue.”
He said that Nawaz Sharif’s statement was misconstrued and wrongly reported in a section of the press. Commenting on PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s remarks that he did not visit Siachen due to scarcity of funds, Nisar said in a satirical tone, “There is no doubt that Khan is a poor fellow and cannot afford a visit of Gayari to express solidarity with soldiers trapped under a gigantic avalanche… He can use private jets, owned by several members of his party, for foreign and domestic visits but cannot go to Gayari.”
The press conference had been arranged to welcome Lt Gen (r) Abdul Qayyum to the PML-N.
Speaking on the occasion, Nawaz Sharif said mistakes in the past by both Pakistan and India and their attitude towards each other had been impeding talks on the Siachen issue.
To a query about unification of the Muslim League, Nawaz Shairf said, “I have a list of people in my mind about those who should not join us.”
He said that the government had not yet consulted his party regarding preparation of the next year’s budget.
Welcoming Lt Gen (r) Abdul Qayyum to the PML-N, Nawaz Sharif said, “Not every general is like Parvez Musharraf.” “I have a wish that people (such as Qayyum) join the PML-N,” he added.
According to Qayyum, “The PML-N’s vision and its leadership can steer the country out of crises.”
Earlier, addressing a ceremony to distribute free laptops among students, Nawaz Sharif said corruption had destroyed all departments of the country.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk