Latif Khosa: Reconciliation between PPP and PML-N is a death warrant for anti-democracy forces
Benazir Bhutto’s policy of reconciliation
Khosa for reconciling differences with PML-N
January 15, 2011
Punjab Governor Latif Khosa has said he would meet PML-N Quaid Nawaz Sharif after his visit to Nodero in a bid to reconcile differences with all political parties.
“I would develop cordial relations with the Punjab government through reconciliation process,” he said talking to the media after a meeting with Interior Minister Rehman Malik who called on him at the Governor’s House Friday. Khosa said the PPP was founded to serve the masses and give them self-esteem.
Admiring Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Rehman lauded Shahbaz administrative abilities. He said the appointment of Khosa as governor would augur well for the centre and Punjab relations. Regarding investigation into Taseer’s murder, he said the inquiry had been completed and the government had no objections to whatsoever if the people of Pakistan wanted a judicial inquiry into the murder. (Source)
PML (N) Chief Main Nawaz Sharif has said that everybody should play its role within the ambit of constitution and the Governor Punjab should work with the Punjab govt for solving the problems of the people of the province.
He expressed these views while meeting with Governor Punjab Latif Khosa who called on him at his Raiwand farm on Tuesday. PPP Senior Minister Raja Riaz was also accompanying him.
Provincial Minister Mujtaba Shuja Rehman, Tanvir Ashraf Kaira and Imtiaz Safdar Warriach were also present on the occasion. Soon upon arriving in Raiwand Latif Khosa paid a visit to the grave of Late Mian Sharif and prayed for his eternal peace.
He was welcomed by former PM Mian Nawaz Sharif and CM Punjab Shahbaz Sharif. The PML-N chief lauded the good will gesture of Governor Punjab Sardar Latif Khosa and expressed hope that Governor Punjab would play his role in promoting conducive political ties for the prosperity of people of Punjab. He said he would be happy if Governor Punjab works with the Punjab govt for solving the problems of the people of the province. He said that unity is the only way to tackle the problems facing the country. PML (N) Chief said that Governor and CM should visit one another offices time to time. Main Nawaz Sharif said that PML (N) wants that present Government complete its tenure.
Speaking on the occasion Latif Khosa said that he wants to promote the politics of reconciliation for the betterment of the people of province and wants to create better working relationship with PML-N. He lauded the efforts of PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif for consolidating democracy and continuing of democratic process and said that PPP would play its role along with PML-N for establishing better political environment. (Source)
A PPP loyalist
Governor of Punjab Sardar Muhammad Latif Khan Khosa said that he was a true follower of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s political philosophy, adding that the philosophy of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) runs in his blood.
“I have been associated with the PPP for last 40 years and I joined it as common worker after being inspired by thought, character and vision of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto”, he said while addressing a large number of PPP workers, office bearers who had gathered at the Governor’s House to attend the oath-taking ceremony of the governor here on Thursday.
The Punjab Governor said that the PPP was a party of martyrs who had rendered countless sacrifices for the country, masses and democracy.
Eulogizing Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s services, Khosa said that Bhutto conveyed the true meanings of democracy to Pakistan adding that the great PPP leader unified all Islamic countries. Khosa said that ZAB took tangible steps to make Pakistan an atomic country, adding that we are an atomic power and our enemies cannot cast evil eye on us.
Paying tribute to Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, he said that she shouldered the responsibility of the party bequeathed by her great father through a letter from the prison, raised the voice of the masses and sacrificed her life for the people. Khosa resolved to continue Benazir Bhutto’s mission and to spread the message of the PPP in every nook and corner of the country.
Admiring the services of Salman Taseer’s services for the party, he said that the PPP workers should keep their spirits high, adding that Punjab Governor’s House will remain party fortress for workers. (Source)
Here is an article written by veteran columnist Asadullah Ghalib in appreciation of Governor Khosa’s reconciliatory gestures towards PML-N (Source: Express).
Fresh beginning
Published: January 20, 2011
Newly appointed Governor, Latif Khosa’s visit to Jati Umra to meet Pakistan Muslim League leader Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif and Mian Shahbaz Sharif has opened a new chapter. After a three-year span of bitter sweet relationship both the parties have come to terms and have decided to improve their ties and work for the welfare of the people of the largest province. It is also a good omen that Khosa has decided not to carry forward the legacy of assassinated Governor Salman Taseer and instead work in close coordination with the Shahbaz Sharif-led Punjab government. Salman Taseer, who was appointed Governor by the then military dictator Gen Pervez Musharraf, had not been even on speaking terms leave alone having a working relationship. Instead of playing his role as the representative of the Federation, as provided by the Constitution, he acted like a villain. Not only that he was a partisan but also never honored the fact that the PPP and PML-N were coalition partners. This led to seriously jeopardizing the efforts of the Punjab Government to deliver the goods and largely undermined the good governance. It was during his era and due to his biased attitude that the Federal Government imposed the Governor’s rule.
All this is now past. One understands that perhaps the PPP leadership has also realized that it cannot afford hostile Punjab Government. It is against this backdrop that Latif Khosa, by his actions taken and words spoken, is trying to send a clear message to PML-N ‘let’s work together’. The manner in which he received Mian Nawaz and Mian Shahbaz on the occasion of Salman Taseer’s qul ceremony and then his body language during his visit to Jati Umra was an indicator that he is under a certain brief. Khosa did not mince his words and publicly stated that President Asif Ali Zardari had directed him to follow the spirit of his policy of reconciliation. Another important aspect of his visit to Sharifs’ residence was that PPP Punjab President, Imtiaz Warriach and most of the party ministers in the Punjab Cabinet were accompanying him. During the formal discussions, the two sides had a frank dialogue on how they wish to proceed further to avoid all the ills in the past. Khosa acted in a very cordial manner and he received similar warm response from both the brothers. The governor’s inviting Shahbaz Sharif along with his entire cabinet for a dinner at the Governor’s House will also auger well.
http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Opinions/Editorials/20-Jan-2011/Fresh-beginning
Khosa once again proves his versatility, superior intellect, political acumen and sagacity
Despite all the odds, the PPP still believe in politics of reconciliation. PPP’s central information secretary said PPP would exercise restraint and would not respond PMLN’s tirade against the politics of confrontation and wants to promote tolerance. President Zardari reiterated that the PPP would continue the process of reconciliation and take along all political forces in the interest of the country. President said some elements did not want him to speak for the rights of workers. Pakistan belongs to the poor. If our opponents think that giving rights and making the workers economically independent is a sin, we’ll continue to commit it again and again.