Un-democratic behavior

As usual showing defiance and disrespect for Judiciary, the PML-N meeting chaired by the disqualified former Prime Minister at Punjab House issued a hard hitting statement in which the contents of Supreme Court detailed  verdict in  Panama Case review petition has been criticized in a derogatory tone and tenor.  The statement of the ruling party against Judiciary prompted a harsh response from the opposition parties, including Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Tehrik Insaf (PTI).

Former President and Chairman People’ Party Parliamentarian Asif Ali Zardari described Nawaz Sharif anger an anti- democratic attitude. He alleged that the Former Prime Minister is promoting a foreign agenda but PPP will never allow any of his conspiracies to succeed and soon will issue a charge sheet against him and his anti-democracy policies. This is not the first time that Asif Zardari is making serious allegation against Nawaz Sharif. In an interview with a private TV Channel, aired in the Program “Power Play” on 25th August, the former President alleged that Nawaz Sharif wants a greater Punjab. It completely pushed the anchor into a deep shock and utter surprise. He asked Asif Zardari as to whether it is a serious note or he is saying this out of humor. The former President said in a short and crisp reply,” Imagine the manifold increase in value of Raiwand Estate in Greater Punjab.” Perhaps the former President was making an oblique reference to the trans-border ambitions of Nawaz Sharif from the platform of an apparently welfare organization established in the Indian Punjab under the Title “Jati Umra Pariwar Trust”. The Patron -in-Chief of this trust, Col. Partap Singh Gill, visited different cities of Pakistan including Peshawar along with 25 member delegation. He was given a protocol of state guest.  Addressing a public meeting a Chitral , PTI Chairman Imran Khan said that for the first time the most powerful person has been brought to justice.

Democracy derives its strength from the rule of law and respect for Judiciary. If one looks at the benefits of western democracies it transpires that the political leadership of these countries has shown profound submission to the law and due respect to Judiciary. Disrespect to the most important state organ, the Judiciary reflects an un-democratic behavior which must be shunned if one claims to be a democrat. Hopefully, the PML-N leadership will emulate the example western leaders and their glaring traditions of democracy.