PML-N may propose new name for NWFP: Nisar

[Lahore_Real_Estate]

Tuesday, April 13, 2010
By Muhammad Anis

ISLAMABAD: Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Monday said the PML-N may propose the Awami National Party (ANP) and the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) to review new name of the NWFP province.

“It will be our party’s proposal, and not demand, as we are signatory to the constitutional package and will not deviate from it,” said Chaudhry Nisar while talking to a group of newsmen here.

He said PML-N Quaid NawazSharif is reaching Islamabad on Tuesday (today), and he would discuss the issue with the party’s senior leaders. “We are already in touch with the ANP and the PPP leadership on this issue, and it should not be made matter of ego,” said Nisar while regretting the killing of some protesters in Abbattabad.

Chaudhry Nisar said the PML-N government in the Punjab has decided to refer back the case of remission to criminals, who are imprisoned in different jails of the province. Regretting giving remission of one fourth of punishment of prisoners by President Zardari, he said that it had been done only to benefit the additional director general of FIA, who is imprisoned in the Central Jail Adiala.

“The remission given to prisoners is unprecedented in the country’s history only to give benefit to a favourite,” he said. He disclosed that the federal government senior officials also contacted the Adiala Jail authorities for the release of FIA officer Sheikh Riaz.

He said the issuance of remission notification by the federal government amounts to interfering in the autonomy of provinces against the spirit of the 18th Amendment and defying directives of the Supreme Court and norms of justice. “We have serious apprehensions on remission of one fourth punishment of prisoners,” he said.

Giving some figures, Nisar said a total of 2,963 criminals, imprisoned in different jails of the Punjab. The notification issued by the federal government would result in immediate release of 736 prisoners. They include 376 criminals, who are in jails in narcotics cases, 89 in Hudood cases, four in NAB cases, 44 in robbery cases and eight in kidnapping for ransom case.

Nisar while referring to omission of a clause of Article 17 of the Constitution in the constitutional package regarding mandatory elections to elect party office bearers, said the PPP leaders were of the view that the clause was misused against their party during the Musharraf tenure. He said there is already provision of party elections under the Political Parties Act, and the PML-N has already been passing through its reorganisation and election of its office bearers.