By Xinhua
Islamabad : Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s party Tuesday vowed to give unconditional support to a Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) government for six months but said it will not join the government.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) central leader Choudhury Nisar Ali Khan said cabinet members would have to take oath from President Pervez Musharraf under the amended constitution and his party was against this.
The Associated Press of Pakistan quoted him as telling reporters that PML-N MPs would take oath in the National Assembly under the 1973 constitution and not under any “mutilated form” of the statute.
He also said that his party had some concerns about a coalition between the PPP and the pro-Musharraf Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) and these concerns had been conveyed to the PPP leadership.
But the PML-N had decided not to create problems for PPP to form the government, he added.
“PML-N would support PPP for six months at the centre to solve all issues,” Khan said, adding the party would continue its support, if needed, “for the development of the country”.
“We are going to support the PPP without demanding any ministry. The PML-N is only seeking a free judiciary,” he said.
Khan announced that Shahbaz Sharif – the former prime minister’s brother – would be the Punjab chief minister. Shahbaz Sharif is not a member of the Punjab assembly but is expected to seek a seat through a by-election.
About PPP leader Asif Ali Zardari’s reported statement to work with President Musharraf, he said that it could be a case of wrong interpretation.
Nisar reiterated Nawaz Sharif’s demand for Musharraf to resign and respect the verdict of the masses in the Feb 18 ballot that led to the rout of pro-Musharraf forces.
“The PML-N wants restoration of pre-Nov 3 judiciary which will decide eligibility of Musharraf to stand in election to the office of president,” he said.
Khan said a joint meeting of PML-N, PPP and Awami National Party had been convened Feb 27 to demand an immediate session of the National Assembly and a smooth transfer of power.
The PPP emerged as the largest party in National Assembly with 87 seats while PML-N won 67 seats. The two parties have pledged to form a coalition government.