Refusing to play second fiddle to the powerful military, former Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif has said he will be the army chief’s “boss” if voted back to power in the May 11 general elections. A combative Sharif, whose party PML-N is widely expected to form the next government here, hinted that the current army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani would be replaced by the “senior most” when he retires in November.
“All I know is when I was a Prime Minister, the policies were being formulated by federal government, by the civilian head of the state and then of course executed by the institutions,” Sharif said in an interview to Karan Thapar on CNN IBN’s Devil’s Advocate.
“I want that to continue and I’m very clear on that, that everybody must remain in their respective domain,” he said.
He was replying to a query if under his rule, the Army would continue to control Pakistan’s relations with US, India besides security policies of the government.
Asked if that means the Prime Minister will be Army chief’s boss, he said, “He is. The Army is an attached department of the federal government and of course the Chief of Army staff works under the federal government and implements the policies of the federal government”.
Replying to a query if he would give an extension to Kayani, he said, “I don’t think he will ask any further extension or he will be interested in any further extension. I will go by the book; I will go by the merit. Who so ever is the senior most, will have to occupy this…the next one, the next in line”.
Sharif who spoke on a wide range of issues also stressed on the importance of a combination of dialogue and armed intervention as the answer to combat terror in Pakistan.
He also said he has no vendetta against former military ruler Pervez Musharraf but said he will bring a treason trial against him for imposing martial law twice in the country.
“I think this problem has to be solved on priority basis, there is no doubt about it. And you can’t really solve all the problems through guns and bullets, you got to also explore other options.
“Options of engagement, may be those options work, in many countries problems have been solved by sitting across the table…I think all the options would have to be exercised,” Sharif said.
“We will have to have all the stakeholders sitting on the table, discuss the matter with them openly, candidly and very frankly and arrive at a policy and a strategy that is workable.
“And I think all those forces inside Pakistan, outside Pakistan will also have to be invited and we must then listen to each others concerns, address them and them pave the way for a solution to this problem,” he said.
Speaking about Musharraf, Sharif said he did not have any personal vendetta to settle.
“He has imposed martial law twice in Pakistan, first in 1999 and again in November 2007. He abrogated the constitution, he fired the judges, he dissolved Parliament unconstitutionally. I think he has to pay for that,” he said.
Asked if that meant he will sanction a treason trial against Musharraf, Sharif said, “That is not a crime that I can forgive, I think the nation will have to decide as to what the nation wants against him and then it will be left to judiciary and the judges to try and to decide”.
Speaking about his economic revival plans, Sharif said he would float an international tender for generating power from Thar coal mines.
“Indian businessmen are getting power from this coal, they are generating power from coal in India. Why can’t we do it? I think we will float an international tender, bidding and may be Indian businessmen can come and invest in Thar coal in Pakistan. We will be happy to welcome them”.
POEM In Nawaz Sharif’s Honour on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/IKJanisar.Official/posts/458332577580788
NAWAZ SHARIF GHADDAR
QADYANIYON KA PIYAR
INDIA AUR ISRAEL IS KI SARKAR
IS KUTTAY KO HAI HAKOMAT KA BUKHAR
O MARJA LANTI KIRDAR
TUJH PER LANAT BESHUMAR
BAAP KA KAAM TO PATA NAHI
PER DAMAAD CHOWKIDAAR
KEHTA SHAIR KHUD KO YARON
MANZOOR NAHI HAI HAAR
BUS ISSI LIYE HAI MAGHRIB KA TABAYDAAR
NAAM MUSALMANO KA RAKHA
KAFIROON KA PARASTAAR
JHOOT, MAKAR, FAREEB KI AADAT
SAB HO GAI BEKAAR
IMRAN KAY AAGAY NAI CHALNI TERI
DAAL DAY AB HATYAAR
O MARJA LANTI KIRDAR
TUJH PER LANAT BESHUMAR
Reader Comments (47)
Great logic shutdown public transportation when there is a large crowd
Exact opposite of what happens the world over
Recommend276
They admiited that ‘They stated that there would be a huge crowd en-route to Minar-e-Pakistan’
Recommend232
tsunami doesnt need buses 😀 thank you very much
Recommend260
Shame on you PML-N
Recommend273
Good move !
Assets must be protected from these “uncouth youth”.
Recommend64
Noora league will do anything to stop the Tsunami, but InshAllah they will fail!
Recommend236
Metro Bus is a national asset, it will be wise if it is not handed over to any crowd for destruction. Second for @Antebellum, any kind of Tsunami brings on ly destruction. I wish PTI leadership had a little sense naming themselves as destructors
Recommend39
the fear is in their hearts now
Recommend151
It makes sense shutting it down. These rallies always go crazy in Pakistan and it is best not to waste the billions of rupees spent on this white elephant project.
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wow, waht a special reason. No wonder who CM currently is.
Recommend31
Its not about fear of Tsunami its about being civilized. PML N doesn’t think that we Lahories are civilized enough to sit in Metrobus.
Recommend22
Khurram, There is a difference between PMLN and PTI crowd. I think you are confusing the two.
Recommend48
@KHURRAM MANSOOR, my friend thats the idea , bring destruction to status quo, bring destruction to corruption so on and so forth. If you have been unable to fathom the idea as yet then you deserve the leaders we have.
Recommend46
Shame on Musharaf League of Raiwind
Recommend57
The people who are going to travel 100s of kilometers from different cities to get to Lahore for this historic day are not going to be stopped by blocking a bus service that only runs on 37 kms.
Only made the government look scared. It wont dent the event attendance in any way.
Recommend51
PMLN is SCARED of tsunama
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@Angry @KHURRAM MANSOOR @Blithe:
True Patwari Logic. Hats off to you.
— Metro Buses (and for that matter all transport systems) should be closed for Rallies to ensure security.
— All official buildings, shopping plazas, underpasses, bridges etc on the Rally route should be lifted & moved to some other place to secure them.
— Better yet all citizens should be sent to ‘Chaanga Maanga’ to ensure their safety from ‘uncouth youth’.
— If any mishap does happen, Khadim-e-Aala may distribute fake cheques to the affectees to satisfy media cameras (who cares if they bounce later). Huh
Hum ne badla hai Punjab…… Hum Badlenge Paistan…. whatever
Recommend79
@Angry: Its a government resource made from our tax money, doesn’t belong to their abbay! Will they shut it down during PPP’s rallies? during their own? obviously this is a political move by an opponent that is scared
Recommend64
Metro Bus belongs to every Pakistani ! Lets suppose if they hold rallies near airport than govt will shut that too ? Protection of assets is the responsibility of police and police should do their work.Tsunami is a disciplined group of people and will purchase tickets for the service and directly benefit the national chequer. Imran Khan will show all that change is now imminent and these zardaris and sharifs have to go now
Recommend47
Great move. Unlike chairs, buses are public property, therefore must be saved from destructive Tsunami. What kind of youth is this? they want ride and seating, why cannot they walk to concert nor stand for few hours.
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@Khurram Mansoor. The name “Tsunami” implies the destruction of the filth ridden status quote that is the incumbent regime (PPP, PMLN included)
Recommend37
The awkward moment when a party who spend .7 to 1 Billion Rs on media campaign is crying for Transportation
Recommend16
We will make a new Pakistan InshAllah:
Peace & Justice for all, Cheap electricity , health , education , infrastructure , merit , winning teams in all sports , crime free Pakistan , respect of Pakistani passport, state of the art defence.
Come on IK we are with you captain
Recommend32
We will make a new Pakistan InshAllah:
Peace & Justice for all, Cheap electricity , health , education , infrastructure , merit , winning teams in all sports , crime free Pakistan , respect of Pakistani passport, state of the art defence.
Come on IK we are with you captainRecommend33
“There are no pacts between Tsunamis & Metros” …. with excuse to Homer. 🙂
Recommend5
Even being a PTI fan, I think its not a bad decision.
Recommend6
This will actually add to the passion of people.
Recommend22
Good decision because Metro Buses are our precious assets”.
Recommend6
The Brave Punjab Police is unable to protect Metro Bus. Lame Excuse … In reality The Shareef’s wouldn’t like PTI to utilize their creation!
Recommend22
Good Luck Shaheeno… 🙂 .
Recommend18
There is a difference between PMLN and PTI crowd. DG Lahore Police is confusing the two
Recommend21
Do whatever you want, now no can stop tsunami of IK.
Recommend20
There was no Metro Bus on 30 Oct either. Who needs Metro !!! ?? PTI all the way
Recommend17
Pakistan Muslim league – Naan
Recommend15
They used the same tactics before October 30, 2011 and we all witnessed that history was made on Oct 30. Jungla bus will remain open when shareef brothers will do a jalsi at bhaati chawk. hahahahah. wake up. Lahore AND Pakistan belongs to PTI.
Recommend14
If it’s so difficult to protect Metro Bus then why was it built on first place??
PTI has been saying this from the beginning that this Nation needs education before such projects, & PMLN today has proved that..!
Recommend18
I think its a good decision. Its not a matter of inability to protection but prevention of mob mentality. Imran Khan is not the end of the world.; Nor does he have what it takes to pacify a crowd
Recommend7
IK himself in one of his speeches has directed PTI troll to use the bus for his jalsa meaning PTI trolls have the licence to vandalize the buses
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@PakistanUnited: Raiwind party is actually Zia League. Not Musharaf League They were born and brought up by Ziaul Haq
Recommend9
Though I am a supporter of PTI, I do not agree that Pakistani youth knows how to value the things that belong to them … Let’s take a lesson from history … Having said that, I wish that pti stage a record breaking jalsa without the need for metro buses … That would be amazing …
Recommend3
Metro Bus is a useless project.. It is a permanent liability and a weak point for Govt..
Recommend1
A great move! Unlike chairs, buses are public property, therefore must be saved from destructive Tsunami. What kind of burgers party is this? they badmouth it, condemn it and then want ride and seating… why can’t they walk to the concert for few hours??
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This is Rehman Malik approach, close cell phones as they create terrorism.
Recommend1
Pti kids have been praying for the failure of this service from day 1. we r talking of desperate kids of a desperate leader. Now that transparency int’l has given a green signal to the project & imran khan failed to provide any evidence of corruption. Punjab govt has all the reasons to believe they will try to harm it physically.
Recommend
Well actually shame on the party whose rally is affecting public transport and the common man’s life
Recommend1
What else do you expect from a highly politicized police.
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someone is afraid for sure.
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