Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif Tuesday said that constitution has been virtually ‘held in abeyance’ due to the ongoing ‘judicial activism’ in the country.

“Constitution stands suspended on account of judicial activism, leading to crippling of the executive as none of the government organs is working,” he told a seminar titled ‘Vote Ko Izzat Do’ held here at the National Library.

On the sanctity of ballot, Nawaz stated that the four words of ‘vote ko izzat do’ encompass the entire philosophy of his political struggle. “The people use their right to rule through their vote and that right should be inviolable. But, ironically for 17 years the sanctity of vote was never recognised. The trend should change now and people should not allow their vote to be crushed,” he said.

The PML-N supremo detailed the chequered political history of Pakistan as well as palatial intrigues against the civilian dispensation. “Those intrigues gave birth to the characters of Governor General Ghulam Mohammad, Justice Munir and General Ayub Khan. That treachery continues to date,” Nawaz said, adding that the debacle of 1971 was the direct result of not accepting the people’s mandate.

Nawaz said the average tenure of a military dictator in Pakistan was eight years while that of the civilian government was only two years. “Our judiciary always bent to the military dictators, indemnifying them by validating their coups. Now is the time to expose those who disgraced politicians, trampled on people’s mandate and pushed this country into crisis,” he said.

On the upcoming general elections, the PML-N leader said that the chief justice has declared that the elections will be free and fair. “But, whatever is happening particularly the judicial activism … and the discriminatory attitude towards the PML N … indicates that free and fair elections cannot be held,” he said, adding that people should be ready for a movement to ensure the sanctity of their vote.

Nawaz also discussed what he called the political engineering by various religio-political groups to weaken and destabilize the established political parties in the country. He especially mentioned the recently crafted political group in southern Punjab. “Party tickets should not be awarded to the turncoats who betrayed their parties … instead preference should be given to the loyal workers,” he said.

Pakhtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) chief Mehmood Khan Achakzai in his candid remarks claimed that the war between democratic and non-democratic forces had begun. He demanded that all the judges who had taken oath under the PCO should be removed and their salaries recalled. “We believe in the supremacy of the constitution. I implore we should not be forced to take to the streets like in Turkey,” he added. Achakzai declared that disqualified-for-life prime minister Nawaz Sharif should be ‘restored’ after the next general elections through parliament.

If parliament can discount the extra-constitutional actions of army generals through an act, it can also bring back Nawaz Sharif.”

The PkMAP chief also talked about Article 6 of the constitution which prescribes the severest of punishment for those who violate it. “According to the constitution, each organ of the state should function within its framework and there should be zero tolerance for the violators,” he said. “It is the constitution which unites us. We have not been forced but voluntarily became part of this federation,” he added.

Speaking on the occasion, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that institutions can only earn respect if they work within the constitutional framework. “We jumped into the Afghan war on the behest of others, but ironically by owning it we are facing repercussions to this day.”

Senator Hasil Khan Bizenjo talked about the polarisation of polity and the country’s dangerous course towards isolation. “The world accuses us of harbouring terrorists and fomenting terrorism.”

Mian Iftikhar of the Awami National Party (ANP) also spoke and assured Nawaz Sharif of their support for the sanctity of the ballot.

The seminar was attended by members of the diplomatic corps, senators, members of National Assembly, rights activists and members of various political parties.

Earlier, welcoming the participants Senator Mushahid Hussain lauded the former prime minister for leading the narrative of ‘vote ko izzat do’.

Published in Daily Times, April 18^th 2018.