ISLAMABAD: Leader of Opposition in National Assembly Khursheed Shah on Monday urged former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar to practice restraint when it comes to delivering statements against one another.
Speaking to the local media, Shah said that the conflict between state institutions posed a danger to the democratic process. He said that the conflict between the government and the judiciary was acquiring dangerous proportions.
“I apologise but Sharif should not be making such statements,” he said. “I also apologise to the chief justice but he should not deliver such statements either,” Shah said.
The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader said that if the judiciary began to address from the rostrum, people could cast doubts on its impartiality. “The situation worries me,” Shah said. “PPP did not render sacrifices to see this day,” he added.
Referring to top court’s directives regarding withdrawing of security of individuals not entitled to protection, Shah said that the judiciary would draw flak in the scenario of a politician being attacked.
“The judiciary should not intervene in such matters,” he said.
Reminiscing about the assassination of former premier Benazir Bhutto, Shah claimed the incident had taken place after former president Pervez Musharraf had ordered her security withdrawn. “Asfandyar Wali Khan and Maulana Fazlur Rehman have also been attacked. Will the chief justice be answerable if something untoward happens?” he asked.
Speaking of Sharif and his daughter Maryam’s London trip to see the ailing Kulsoom, Shah said that he always knew that the deposed premier would return.
“Sharif would be reduced to a political nonentity if he chose to remain in London given the struggle he has become a party to,” he said. Shah also prayed for Kulsoom’s speedy recovery, saying she had fought for democracy.
