Nawaz doing no service to democracy by targeting PPP: Dr Firdous

Addressing a press conference at PID Media Centre, Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said instead of expressing solidarity with calamity-hit people of Sindh, Nawaz Sharif was trying to get political mileage from the plight of the victims as the PML-N was facing political isolation.“At this time of trial, the political leadership should show proof of patriotism by creating unity, and should not try to divide the nation for personal gains”, she added.The Minister said the PML-N leadership should thank the PPP for their return from exile and for remaining in politics as it was President Asif Zardari who convinced them to take part in the 2008 elections, which they had decided to boycott.She asked the PML-N leaders to do politics of issues and should not indulge in character assassination of the President who is symbol of Federation.She said instead of indulging in negative politics, the PML-N should work for promotion of democracy, supremacy of the Parliament and respect the mandate of all political parties.Replying to a question, the Minister said that it was responsibility of her and her ministry to respond to the allegations made against the Prime Minister or the President.She made it clear that the PPP has been following and will continue to follow in future, the policy of reconciliation but the opposition should criticise the policies of the government, but not target the personality of the President.She said PPP leadership has stopped the party workers from targeting the leadership of its political opponents.The Minister said if the PML-N leadership did not stop their tirades against the PPP high command, it would be very difficult to rein in its worker from responding the PML-N leadership in the same manner.Dr Firdous Awan said Nawaz Sharif did not like to be in the opposition and he liked democracy only when his party was in power, that is why he preferred not to contest elections and stay away from the Parliament.While replying another question, she said that there was no harm in holding standing committee meetings in General Headquarters of Pakistan Army as it was the prerogative of the Standing Committee chairman to decide the venue of the meeting.About forthcoming visit of US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, she said that doors for talks should remain open as it is the only way to sort out differences.She said that the Foreign Office would brief the media about the priorities of the country regarding Clinton’s visit but one thing is clear that the government would adopt the stance as per aspirations of the people.About the Supreme Court decision on the 7th Wage Board Award,she said it was historic verdict which would open a new era of journalism in the country. She said it was a historic day and the verdict was the proof of vision and pro-labour policies of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.She said that the government would finalise its future strategy after consultations with journalistic organisations and other stakeholders.The minister also that the government will try to play role of a bridge between the newspaper employees and proprietors and newly formed Press Council can play a major role in amicable resolution of differences between employees and the newspaper organizations.While giving details of relief and rehabilitation activities being carried out by National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in the flood affected areas in Sindh she said that today President Asif Ali Zardari chaired a meeting in the Presidency.She said that the President issued on the spot directives for new initiatives to expedite the rehabilitation process so that the affected people could go home before start of winter.She said that till today 325,000 tents, three million ration packets, 200,000 mosquito nets,35000 plastic sheets and 40000 blankets have been distributed by the NDMA.She also informed that on the directives of the President and Prime Minister 1.7 million Watan Cards are being distributed among the flood victim families and 39,000 additional cards have been distributed.The President advised that the distribution mechanism of the wheat seed be devised at the earliest and the seed be provided to the affected areas on priority so as to enable the farmers to sow wheat crop as soon as dewatering process is completed, which, he was informed, would be completed within next few days, she said.