Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday welcomed the Supreme Court’s ruling in favour of military courts and said the decision will aid Pakistan’s fight against terrorism.
“Today is an important day for politics and democracy in Pakistan,” the prime minister said while addressing the National Assembly, adding that extraordinary situations require extraordinary steps. He said that political parties had reservations on military courts which have now been addressed by the apex court.
“The government preferred consultation with all political parties on National Action Plan, China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and foreign policy,” he said, adding that the solution to all problems is parliament regardless of the nature of the issues.
The prime minister also informed the parliamentarians that the government has decided not to support any resolution seeking to de-seat PTI lawmakers.
“We believe that every respected parliamentarian has made his way to the parliament through people’s mandate,” Sharif said. “We want all the political parties to play their role in the Parliament.”
He said that the government has urged the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) to withdraw their motions against PTI. “I have personally requested Maulana Fazlur Rehman and MQM MNAs to take back the resolutions in the greater interest of democracy,” he said.
“Although the Dharna negatively impacted the country’s economy but we should now move forward instead of looking back and avoid using non-parliamentary language inside the House,” Sharif stressed.
Speaking in the National Assembly, Leader of the Opposition Khursheed Shah praised the SC ruling, which he said, proved that parliament is supreme. “The situation was serious and remains serious today and this is why we supported military courts,” he said.
