KARACHI – The Pakistan people’s Party is all set to face the contempt notices issued by the Supreme Court both on legal and political fronts. PPP’s Sindh Secretary General Taj Haider is ready to appear in the Supreme Court on April 1, however, he would seek more time to submit his reply on his reaction on the court’s verdict against former NAB chairman Justice (retd) Deedar Hussain Shah.
Talking to Pakistan Today on Wednesday, he said that he had received a 350-page notice and needs considerable time for reading and consulting on it. “I would request the court for more time. It will be well if the court grants the request, otherwise I will start my arguments on the same day,” he said.
However, the party has not taken lightly the issuance of contempt notices to its leaders, terming it part of conflict between the judiciary and the parliament. “Personally, it does not matter if I am convicted but the real issue is the conflict between the two pillars of the state”, said Haider.
“How can the country be run if such things are experienced as we need harmony among institutions? Some forces are fuelling misunderstanding between the two institutions for their vested interests but they cannot divide the country,” he added.
Taking notice of a strike observed in Sindh and the provincial assembly passing a resolution on the issue of NAB chairman’s removal, the apex court had issued a similar notice to another PPP leader Sharjeel Inam Memon and also sought the record of assembly proceedings and the leaders’ press conference. On March 17, the Sindh chief minister had said in the provincial assembly that neither the resolution nor the strike was against the judiciary or its verdict on Shah’s appointment.
Terming it a ‘misperception’, he said the resolution passed in the house was against PML-N leader Chaudry Nisar’s remarks and similarly the strike was also part of the resolution. Meanwhile, the PPP has decided to face the situation politically also. In support of Haider and Memon, the ruling party had planned to table a resolution in the Sindh Assembly on Wednesday but it could not materialise due to the sudden announcement of a public holiday.
Now it is likely that the resolution will be tabled today (Thursday). However, the people of Sindh did see a quarter-page advertisement in the largest-circulated Sindhi daily carrying portraits of Haider and Memon along with Benazir Bhutto, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Asif Ali Zardari and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.
The advertisement stated, “We the people of Thar salute Taj Haider and Sharjeel Inam Memon for raising voice of the people of Sindh on the appointment of Sindh-born Syed Deedar Hussain Shah.” The advertisement also assured both the PPP leaders that ‘Sindh’s ghairatmand will extend support to the PPP and the party’s gharatmand leaders at every step.’
PPP all set to fight on multiple fronts
