ISLAMABAD: The PPP-nominated leader of opposition in the National Assembly, Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah, has said his party would like to see the incoming PML-N government completing its five-year term and believes that this will “permanently close the door to dictatorship”.

“If the PML-N government completes its tenure, then no force will be able to even think of derailing democracy,” Mr Shah told reporters at the PPP’s central secretariat here on Saturday after he was nominated as leader of opposition in the National Assembly

Mr Shah, who is known for his good relations with all political parties and had acted as a key negotiator of the PPP-led government in testing times, said his party would support all “pro-people” policies of the new government

“The PPP will not create any hurdle for the PML-N government unless it feels that public interests are being compromised.”

He said the PPP was even ready to cooperate with the PML-N if it wanted to amend the constitution to promote national interests.

By extending support to the upcoming government, he said, the PPP wanted to enable it to meet challenges being faced by the country.

The party would cooperate with the government on national issues because next five years would be crucial for the country, Mr Shah said.

He claimed that the previous government had adhered to 80 per cent clauses of the charter of democracy signed by Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto in May 2006 in London.

He said the PPP had accepted results of the May 11 elections despite serious reservations only in the interest of democracy.

“The results are beyond comprehension.”

He said the PPP expected fair and transparent elections but “unfortunately it did not happen”.

Deploring the Election Commission’s warning about contempt proceedings against anyone criticising the conduct of the elections, he said: “This announcement by the ECP is upsetting because there is a big question mark over the elections.”

Referring to the ECP secretary’s assertion that the commission enjoyed powers to conduct a trial under contempt charges, he said: “The ECP should not talk about new laws. Only parliament has the prerogative to enact laws.”

Mr Shah said it was unfortunate that the PPP was not allowed to run its election campaign freely.

He said the PPP-led coalition government had taken a stance on the issue of terrorism according to the aspirations of people who wanted peace.

Highlighting achievements of the previous government, he said it had announced seventh National Finance Commission award. He expressed the hope that the incoming federal government would develop good relations with the provinces.