Daily Times

Since the release of damning video footage involving former accountability judge Arshad Malik a few weeks ago, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Vice President Maryam Nawaz has been asking for the release of her jailed father, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif. She wants immediate release of Nawaz Sharif and without any re-trial, or she will leak some other videos which contain the names of incumbent officials. “There should not be retrial in Nawaz Sharif’s case after the judge’s confession. If there be retrial, what is the guarantee that the judge who will take up the case is not pressurised?” she said at a press conference. She also demands judge’s interrogation to know who pressurised him (Arshad Malik) to get verdict against Nawaz Sharif.

As the Supreme Court has already ruled that it is up to the Islamabad High Court bench hearing appeal into the case that how it decides the case, Maryam Nawaz should have taken up the issue in the court of law and not in press conferences. She might be reminded by some party lord about a similar case of a Lahore High Court judge’s audio tapes involving her close family members. The Supreme Court had overturned the verdict given by those judges. Moreover, if she has some more videos laced with incriminating evidence of bias and persecution, she should share them with the forum concerned so that an appropriate action is taken. The coming days may see a wave of confrontation as Maryam Nawaz has also hinted at using the option of PML-N lawmakers resigning from all the assemblies. She is justified to hit her point since the government has clamped down on electronic media’s coverage of the opposition.

It seems that the era of the 90s is back. Though there was a brief respite when the government of the PPP introduced the politics of reconciliation in the country. The policy, however, could not be flourished much, thanks to judicial activism and targeted media campaigns. Now, the government of the day bears responsibility to keep the democratic norms intact so that we move forward. Similarly, the opposition should also keep the democratic principles in mind while using their right to protest. Resigning from assemblies should be used as the last option. In fact, parliament is the most powerful forum to raise voice for the public rights. All stakeholders should exhibit sanity in the best interest of the country. *