Army, judiciary meddling weakened democracy, says Nawaz

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  • Deposed PM says factions in army, judiciary sabotage democracy in country

  • Says every time ‘we looked for support from the judiciary, it supported dictatorship instead’

KARACHI: Deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday said that every time democracy starts strengthening in Pakistan, factions in the judiciary or the army try to wreck it.

The three times former prime minister also criticised the conviction of his party stalwart Nehal Hashmi and issuance of notices to other PML-N leaders, including Tallal Chaudhry and Daniyal Aziz, on contempt of court charges. Addressing a seminar here on ‘The future of democracy in Pakistan’, Nawaz said that every now and then when the chosen political leaders try to ensure democracy sustains in the nation, there are a few biased individuals in state institutions which try to deteriorate that process.

Nawaz is consistent with his anti-judiciary rhetoric following his ouster in July 2017 over corruption in the Panama Papers’ case. Criticising the judiciary in a thinly-veiled reference, Nawaz said the power and stature of the prime minister’s office are being sidelined besides unceremonious treatment meted out to the parliament of the country. He was referring to the use of ‘Sicilian Mafia and godfathers’, the terms the Supreme Court used to refer towards Nawaz and his family in the Panama case’s verdict.

After his disqualification, Nawaz Sharif has continuously blamed the judiciary for being prejudice towards him which is evident from his ouster. “Every time democracy tried to stand on its feet, it was struck down,” he claimed. “That pollution, which over the past 70 years has prevented the democratic system from reaching a point of stability, persists in the air around us today.” He recalled that in 1953, Khawaja Nazimuddin was forced to quit as prime minister of the country and was replaced with Muhammad Ali Bogra.

“Since then, prime ministers have been treated like toys,” he complained. “Every time we looked for support from the judiciary, it supported dictatorship instead, leaving us weak,” he said, adding that the political scenario is not completely clear anymore. “Even after 70 years why such seminars are needed?” he questioned.

DOCTRINE OF NECESSITY:

Discussing the doctrine of necessity, Nawaz said, “Necessity makes lawful which otherwise is unlawful, these remarks were made by Justice Munir which show Pakistan in a negative light.” He recalled that in 1956, when the first constitution was drafted and a general election was due to be held in 1958, a martial law was declared, aborting the process. “The constitution was cancelled. The matter reached the courts and, once again, taking support from the doctrine of necessity, the martial law was legitimised,” he said.

“In 1999, when our government was toppled and martial law was imposed, a judge said that a great thing had been done,” he said. “They [the judiciary] said [to Musharraf], ‘We give you jurisdiction for three years, do what you please with the Constitution.'”

“This was a jurisdiction that the courts and the judges themselves do not have. How could they have extended that jurisdiction to someone else?” the three-times former PM asked. “Pervez Musharraf has not been taken to task yet. He is scared to return to Pakistan,” Nawaz added. “I agree with Mahmood Khan Achakzai on Provisional Constitutional Order (PCO) judges. These PCO judges are the reason Pakistan’s situation is deteriorating,” he said.

“Previous government was the first to complete its tenure and we are all well aware of the fact how our tenure was tested every now and then. Everyone knows how I was disqualified, how Balochistan’s government was removed. This is highly unfair,” Nawaz lamented. “I request media and all activists to fight for democracy. My heart guarantees and warrants that we have realised how crucial democracy is. We have to make a collective effort and I stand with the nation. Even after these unfortunate incidents I still stand hopeful that Pakistan will shine. Even if people want to break assemblies, they can’t because democracy is always going to fight back. The nation understands the sanctity of vote and that will help us move forward,” he said.

NAWAZ WELCOMES PAKISTAN BAR COUNCIL’S MEMBER TO PARTY:

At a gathering in the city later in the day, Nawaz welcomed Pakistan Bar Council member Yasin Azad to PML-N. “The addition of important lawyers to PML-N will prove to be an asset for the party,” Nawaz said. He added 40 other lawyers, including Azad, have joined PML-N.

Nawaz lauded the lawyers’ endeavours during the movement to restore judiciary, saying it would always be remembered. “The movement was not for the restoration of a few judges.” However, the judiciary was restored but justice has yet to be provided, Nawaz added. He said 38,000 cases were pending for hearing in Supreme Court until November 2017. “Now, a movement will be started to restore [provision of] justice.”

Meanwhile, in another event, Nawaz addressed a session held under the aegis of Pak Muslim Alliance. Speaking to the session, he said the CNICs’ issuance to the third generation of Bengali speaking citizens settled in the country for the over last 50 years was a humanitarian issue. Recalling the services of the Bengali speaking community, Nawaz said: “Pakistan Muslim League was founded in Dacca (Dhaka) and the people of Bengal made tremendous sacrifices for Pakistan, which were the realities very close to my heart.”

He reiterated that he was fully conscious of the difficulties by members of the community in the absence of CNICs. He assured the members of the community that PML -N once voted back to power would get solved the issue on priority basis through needed legislation. “I will personally look into the issue and play due role,” concluded former prime minister.

 

2 COMMENTS

  1. Yes, a judge had supported General Musharraf in 1999, none other than sharif’s beloved kaana dajaaal iftikhar chaudry.

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