Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan clarified on Saturday that the rumours of rift between the government and the judiciary were false.

In a statement, he maintained that there was no situation of confrontation between the two institutions of state, adding that someone had made a failed attempt of framing the difference of opinion as conflict.

While expressing his opinion on the matter, Nisar said that certain elements in the country were trying to spread disorder and conflicts. He criticised such people for playing up the misunderstandings involving state institutions and the government.

He claimed that such elements only wanted to score points for political gains, stressing they were the same people who threw inks on judges previously to stop them from giving important verdicts. “Such people only accept court orders that are in their favour,” he added.

He blamed certain people for creating discrimination in the apex court between Punjabi and non-Punjabi groups, mentioning the contempt of court committed by several leaders assuming public offices and insulting state institutions in the past.

The interior minister went on to recall the 2013 elections and said that certain people blamed the Pakistan Army for rigging and no action was taken against them by their own parties. He claimed the same people who accused the army of rigging now “serve as party spokespersons”.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders on Saturday said that the government believed in rule of law and had always respected the judiciary.

Talking to newsmen in Islamabad, Prime Minister’s Adviser Asif Kirmani said, “We are extending full cooperation to the JIT on Panama Papers case and the judiciary. We want dispensation of justice in the case.”

Minister of State for Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD) Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said his party had rendered sacrifices for restoration of judiciary. He said, “We respect the institutions, the media and the opposition.”

Minister of State for Information Marriyum Aurangzeb said that the parliament and democracy were being strengthened.

Talking to a news channel, she said, “On special directives of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, a dedicated television channel is being launched for coverage of parliamentary proceedings.”

She said, “Parliament is the only platform to raise the public issues through their representatives and launching a separate channel for this purpose is need of the hour.”

To a question regarding permission of telecasting the speech of opposition leader Syed Khurshid Ahmad Shah on the state-run media, Marriyum Aurangzeb said she had assured the opposition leader of telecasting his speech later, “as it was not possible to make a live telecast due to Ramazan transmission”. She regretted that the matter was politicised by the opposition.