Pervez Ashraf start lobbying against Qadri

Islamabad: Pakistan Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf on Tuesday lobbied with top political leaders, including PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif, for “upholding” the democratic system.

“During his conversation with the political leaders, there was a consensus on upholding the Constitution and the democratic system. The leaders noted that democracy has been achieved in the country after great sacrifices and struggle by the people of Pakistan and it will be defended at all costs,” said a statement issued by the premier’s office.

The statement quoted the political leaders as saying that “any attempt to subvert the Constitution, derail the democratic dispensation or adopt unconstitutional measures should be dealt with firmly”.

During their conversation with the premier, the political leaders agreed that the “entire focus of the all democratic and political forces should be on the preparation for the next general elections and their holding in free, fair and impartial manner under the supervision of the Election Commission”, the statement said.

The apex court’s order added to the uncertainty created by a protest in the heart of Islamabad by tens of thousands of supporters of Qadri, who demanded that the government should quit and dissolve the national and provincial assemblies.

He questioned the actions of Qadri, pointing out that the cleric had referred to the President and Prime Minister as the “ex-President and ex-Prime Minister” in an address early this morning. “It was almost as if he had prior information about the Supreme Court’s order,” he said.

Aitzaz Ahsan, a senior leader of the ruling Pakistan People’s Party and a leading lawyer, told reporters that Ashraf would remain the Prime Minister until he is convicted and disqualified as a member of parliament.    “Arrest doesn’t mean the government has collapsed,” he said. The graft charges against Ashraf date back to his tenure as power minister. He has not yet been convicted for corruption. Information Minister Kaira further said Qadri’s demands were “not constitutional or lawful”.

He said the “law would take its course” if the cleric and his supporters continued their protest in Islamabad.

At the same time, he said, the government was ready to hold talks with Qadri on his demands.