- The need to stand up and be counted
The TLP has issued an ultimatum to the Supreme Court warning it that if it delivered a verdict in Asia Bibi’s case against the outfit’s wishes it would face nationwide sit-ins which would end only after all those responsible for her release are punished. The threat is highly regrettable as it amounts to dictating to the Supreme Court. The challenge comes at a time when another bench of the Supreme Court is holding proceedings to determine if extremist networks that do not accept the country’s constitution can be registered under the Political Parties Act. By extending threats to the SC the TLP is in fact trying to subvert the constitution.
If the TLP had any case, it could have argued it in the court. Legal disputes are settled by the judiciary in line with the laws of the land. The cases are contested in the courts of law by lawyers who argue their respective positions at length. The judges deliver the final verdict. The hearing in the Asia Bibi case has concluded and a judgment is expected any time. The suggestion by the extremist network that the Supreme Court judges debate the matter with TLP leaders on the TV screen shows crass disregard for the constitution.
The ultimatum poses a challenge to both the PTI government and the establishment. While courts decide cases, their judgments are implemented by the government with the help of the state’s coercive machinery. Will Imran Khan hold his nerve and firmly tell the rabble rousers who were rejected by the voters in recent elections that being the chief executive of the country he is bound to enforce whatever verdict is delivered by the court and will perform his duty irrespective of their threats? Will those who wield the state machinery stand by the apex court? The results of the policy of appeasement adopted during the Faizabad sit in should open the eyes of those who matter. Yielding to the TLP’s demand will open the floodgates of extremism which will wash away all respect for law and order. The extremists will thus achieve what the terrorists failed to.
