PML-N blames PPP-led Government for maligning Sharif

Islamabad, Jan 31 (ANI): The Pakistan Muslim League-N has accused the PPP-led Government of indulging in a "character-assassination" campaign against its leader Nawaz Sharif.

The PPP-led Government, however, moved quickly to decry such tactics in an apparent conciliatory gesture.

PML-N Information Secretary Ahsan Iqbal created a stir in the house when he said on a point of order that he was in possession of some of articles "being issued" by the government's Press Information Department to be published in newspapers to defame Sharif and some unnamed party colleagues.

He alleged that government resources were being used to get articles written and published "for the character assassination of Nawaz Sharif and other (PML-N) leaders" in what he called a violation of a commitment against resort to such practices in the Charter of Democracy, The Dawn reported.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Babar Awan acknowledged that the PML-N member's point was "very important" and that there should be "no politics of zatiat" (personal attacks), but he avoided denying or confirming any involvement of the government in such writings.

However, he seemed passing on the blame to article writers, saying "there is an unfortunate trend" of journalists sometimes "projecting only one point of view" in their writings.

"The point is well taken and I will meet my friend (to discuss the matter)," he said before going over to Iqbal's desk where he seemed to be looking at the undisclosed writings. (ANI)