PML (N) leadership often make tall claims of democracy and strengthening the democratic institutions but in practice their attitude is all along against the democratic norms and rule of law. It is the submission to the rule of law that provides conducive environment for the stability of the democracy in a country. Accepting the verdicts of judiciary reflects the true spirit of democracy but the disqualified PM Nawaz Sharif is instigating his party workers to undermine the democracy. He has launched a virulent tirade against the justice system of Pakistan. The PML (N) affiliated lawyers uproar at the accountability court compelled the Judge Muhammad Bashir to adjourn the hearing of corruption references against Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and son in law captain (R) Safdar till 19th October. It reveals disrespect for the Judiciary. This unpleasant situation was created deliberately to delay the indictment of the Sharif family.
Just as the Accountability Court Judge entered the courtroom a number of lawyers associated with the PML (N) forced their way into the court and surrounded the Judge’s bench. They claimed that they were manhandled by security forces outside the Court. The footages shown on private TV channels and photos published in print media tell quite the opposite story. One lawyer is trying to slap a policeman. People expect from lawyers to excel in the Nitti Gritty of law and not showing their expertise in slapping and fist fighting. The Accountability Court Judge asked them to give their complaint in writing but they did not listen to it. The lawyers also interrupted the NAB Prosecution team and were forced to leave the dais. The whole drama was staged because when PML (N) supporters and lawyers knew that the hearing had been adjourned, the crowd disappeared.
Democracy derives its strength from the abidance of the law. In the neighboring country India, democracy flourished because their political leaders showed respect and subjugation to the law. Once, in the political history of India PM Indra Ghandi did not accept her disqualification by Allabad high court in an election case. She imposed emergency but paid a very high price in the general elections for her not accepting the court’s verdict. She met a devastating defeat because her predecessor PM’s burnt midnight oil in their tenure to establish the true democracy, strengthen the institutions including election commission. She herself admitted that congress debacle in the election was the direct result of her decision to impose emergency and not submission to the law. The Indian leadership never ever repeated the same mistake.
When Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif signed the charter of democracy, the people rightly expected that now the latter would have learnt a lesson from his exile and while in power he will act like a true democrat by respecting venerated institution, the judiciary to which the nation lookup for administering justice. These expectations where shattered when Nawaz Sharif after his rightly disqualification in Panama Papers case launched diatribe and smear campaign against the judiciary which amounts to disservice to the democracy. One may draw a possible conclusion from his demeanor and vendetta against the state institutions that he wants chaos and disorder in the country from which the enemies of Pakistan alone can benefit. He should step into the footprints of leaders who have always given preference to national interest over personal gains. Delaying the indictment of Sharif family by bullying and vandalism will prove to be counterproductive.
