Nation not individuals to decide minus, plus formulas: Nawaz
Individuals cannot take such decisions on their own, said former prime minister
October 31, 2017
LONDON: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz President Nawaz Sharif, weighing in on the debate surrounding the minus-Nawaz formula for PML-N, remarked that it is the decision of the nation and not individuals.
While speaking to the media on Tuesday, he remarked that “nation has the say on the decisions surrounding minus and plus formulas.”
He added, “individuals cannot take such decisions on their own.”
Rumours are rife pertaining to ‘minus-Nawaz’ formula for the ruling PML-N. However, party leaders have time and again claimed that this formula is unacceptable.
Earlier in the day, Punjab Law Minister and senior Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) leader Rana Sanaullah on Tuesday said that the party will not accept the 'minus-Nawaz' formula.
While speaking on Geo News' Programme Geo Pakistan, he remarked: “We will not accept the minus-Nawaz formula; this was firmly our stance and shall remain to be so."
'Minus-Nawaz formula unacceptable'
On Monday, the party senior leaders in a high-level huddle reiterated their support for Nawaz and said a minus Nawaz formula is not acceptable.
It was reportedly said during the meeting that Nawaz’s disqualification on the basis of Iqama [foreign work permit] had rallied supporters around him as the party feels he was not given a fair trial in the Panama Papers case.
The participants of the meeting also said that there is no space in the political landscape of the country for any unconstitutional step and there is no support from any quarter for such measures.
Shehbaz to be PM if PML-N wins 2018 polls
Moreover, it was also decided in the party meeting, which was held in London, that if victorious in next year's general elections, the party's prime ministerial candidate will be Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
As reported in Geo News' programme Aaj Shahzab Khanzada Kay Saath on Monday night, according to sources, it was also decided in the meeting, chaired by PML-N President and former premier Nawaz Sharif and attended by Shehbaz and Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, among others, that statements on party policy will now be given by the Sharif brothers and not their respective children — Maryam Nawaz and Hamza Shehbaz.
During the meeting, which lasted over three hours and was held at Hasan Nawaz's office, Shehbaz and the prime minister attempted to convince Nawaz to avoid clashing with state institutions, especially so close to next year's general elections.
Agreeing with the proposal, sources said Nawaz was of the opinion that one cannot be expected to stay quiet if an injustice has been meted out to them.
