A file photo of prime minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf during a parade. PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE
Chaudhry was speaking to Reuters after the Supreme Court ordered the arrest of Ashraf in the Rental Power Plants case.
PM Ashraf – popularly known as Raja Rental - was accused of receiving kickbacks in the rental power projects and of buying property in London from the money earned through corruption in various scams.
The Express Tribune approached stakeholders for their comments on this recent development.
Awami National Party
“It’s an order from the highest court and will be obeyed but our [government’s] legal advisors are trying to find if Ashraf enjoys immunity in this case,” ANP Senator Haji Muhammad Adeel told The Express Tribune.
Expressing doubts over the timing of the court order and Tahirul Qadri’s long march, Adeel said he fails to understand why SC decided to issue the verdict now when the country is experiencing political turbulence.
Pakistan Peoples Party
While speaking to Express News, PPP leader Aitzaz Ahsan said Ashraf will remain the prime minster even if he is imprisoned.
“Ashraf will be the premier until a no-trust motion is moved against him,” he said.
Muttahida Qaumi Movement
MQM leader Wasay Jalil said it is premature to comment on the issue as they don’t have details apart from what has been broadcast.
Jalil also said they have not received any formal invite for the allies meeting scheduled to be held in Karachi today.
Human Rights Commission of Pakistan
Threats to democratic process have escalated after the Supreme Court’s order, said the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP).
“It is difficult to measure the misfortune of the people of Pakistan; on the one hand, we are still burying the Quetta blast victims and pondering over its consequences, while on the other hand Qadri has been haranguing an audience with double talk and lies,” HRCP said in a statement.
Refusing to comment on the merits of the rental power plant case, HRCP said it believes the attempts to regulate politics through judicial hustling have never been fruitful anywhere in the world.
“If nothing else, the judiciary has to weigh the consequences of its decisions on the state whose interest it is supposed to safeguard,” the statement said.
US favours democracy
Reacting to news of the arrest order, US State Department spokeswoman, Victoria Nuland, described the situation as "an internal issue for Pakistanis to resolve, as long as it is resolved in a just and transparent manner that protects the constitution, protects the rule of law".
She added that the US stood "strongly in favour" of a democratically elected civilian government in Pakistan
The US embassy in Islamabad will remain shut on Wednesday for the third day due to security concerns, she said.
COMMENTS (57)
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"@Muhammad Ishaq:With this Army and SC, Pakistan can not survive." Without this army and SC,PPP can't survive but Pakistan and Pakistan's nation can survive....
Raja Rental, please step down immediately for the sack of the state and the nation. yours and your party,s statements are bringing disgrace to us. UNDERSTAAAAAND.
I think Indian trolls have no life except to make stupid comments on Pakistani websites 24x7 lol, get a life, like seriously, you guys act like your soap styled news anchors lol I pity you guys for your hateful work on Pakistani news webistes. P.S You might impersonate as Pakistanis but we know who you are, you guys can't distort public opinion on news websites like this, so remain stupid & hateful.
With this Army and SC, Pakistan can not survive.
1) PPP and coalition partners are themselves to blame for present fiasco. Things would have different if PPP led govt. had delivered (last 5 years). Coalition failed to make any sort of impact, rather situation worsened/problems amplified during their tenure. 2) Vacuum ( generated due lack of leadership ) provides ideal scenarios for prevailing Islamabad sit ins. 3) PPP must be thankful to SC & Gen. Kiyani for giving them the chance – things will not be same after the exit of Iftekhar Choudhry & Gen. Kiyani ( “doctrine of necessity” will resurface in later half 2013 ) * Crux of the matter : Instead of “RULERS”, Pakistan desperately needs “LEADERS” and present crop is just a bunch of “LOOTERS” devoid of vision, brain scan.
The easiest thing in Pakistan is to blame Army,in the last five years democracy was meant to flourish personal business while sitting in President/Prime Minister House,boldly from foreign investors and multi-national companies percentages were being asked in every deal,China, Russia,Iran have also ran away because of dirty intentions.
Former PM, Gillani that he will continue to function as P.M. even from jail. Raja Pervaiz Ashraf may do it.
Right now we pakistanis have two enemies one india and other our policitions.please don't elect them crooks again,think for your children.
It is a saying that a corrupt person will appoint a corrupt person. PPP leadership has been proving it since it has taken power. Billions of rupees have been taken as a kick back with a great percentage has given to friends annd supporters.How long the people will see these dramas. Not a singlle corrupt person or officials has been removed from service by the PPP government.Do not blame the most honest CJ and army to hide the corruptions done under Zardari rule.
Sc, atleast let the country move Lenier...
Put Alena on those properties which he bought in London till he could prove from where the money came from.
Strange and shocking. One one hand a dual national is all against the constitution, the elected government and causing this big unrest at a stone's throw from Supreme Court and goes unnoticed by the CJ. On the other hand, CJ suddenly wakes up and orders arrest of the PM. What a drama! Couldn't it wait for a few more months so that elections are held and the transition is smooth?
Timing of this verdict creates lot of doubts. It is now clear that our Deep State is pulling the strings of their ever ready B Team but this time neither majority both in electronic and print media along with civil society accept any undemocratic actions. Cats are now out of their sacks. I hope all major political parties will gel together against sponsored parties.
Prime Minister Gilani failed to perform his duties, while in office.
Prime Minister Ashraf is will lose his "Kursi", due to corruption in Rental Power Project.
My advice keep your hands out of the cookie jar.
@Yoghurt lover: looks who's talking sense. Indian General or Pak Army.
Guess it??????
@joy: dont think you can call it nascent- Naive would be a better word I suppose...
@Yoghurt lover: You can set an example by boycotting Pakistani newspapers and deprive us of your fantastic insight by refusing to comment in our papers. That way you can punish us by refusing to share the depths of your wisdom. A win win situation if there ever was one.
Wow its been amazing, Now waiting for the next move.
Salute to CJ
Military has actually turned over many of its powers to the Parliament and the Supreme Court and helped bring missing balance between the 4 main institutions of Pakistan. The Supreme Court orders are being ignored by the corrupt elite. The Military has to play the role of helping implement Supreme Court orders if they are not enforceable by the weak police. It is time all the high and mighty are brought under rule of law and equal justice for all. All those that have stolen Pakistan people's wealth must be thrown in jail until they give the stolen money back and also apologize to the nation.
I really don't understand the statement of HRCP, they seem to be taking a political stand rather then minding their own business. Isn't their statement a political one?
I think corruption CJ wil also make decission against Arsalan CH like that. :) CJ want to be CJ for long time Like Musharaf thts it.
Qadri why dint you march earlier!!!!
Two most powerful establishments in Pakistan have joined hands for hoisting the third force to rule Pakistan which shall be controlled by both.
The PPP Government never showed any spine in taking on the Military and kept giving extensions to ISI DG and COAS. Why was the DG ISI not sacked when he was ordered and refused to go to India to assist in investigation of 26/11 Mumbai blast. Even after discovery of OBL in Abbotabad and failure of the Military to prevent the US raid they should have been sacked. Now the Government is crying after having been weak kneed and taken for a ride willingly. The Judiciary had its own agenda and was more interested in destabilizing the Democratic set up rather than taking to task Terrorists who were ravaging the land and their sponsors. Hussain Haqqani was of greater interest rather than non State actors who were unleashing a blood bath. Does the SC have powers to send elected PM's home ?The adventurers are in action again by propping up Messiahs. I see only a sad ending to this fiasco because this looks like a stage managed affair to deflect attention away from the Jihadi monsters.
If HRCP doesnot know the merits of the case, it should SHUT UP. And for Fawad Chaudhry! You are responsible for whats happening to you. You were given all the time in the world to fix the country, but you filled your pockets with corruption money. So stop playing victims.
Price of his actions in Baluchistan !!
need an honest leader who can peosper a common Pakistani, move our country forward, no matter who.
In any other civilized nation when a court find PM guilty, they resign and go home..but this is not a civilized nation.
Fawad chaudhry ... huh .. look who is talking. rental wrath must be over now.
Who is Fawad Chauhry???
Human Right commission of Pak should banned along Minhaj-ul-quran LOL
True Story!
Will PPPP sack the Chief Justice?
Opposition PML(N) with the help of ruling PPP, should take some important decisions quickly in the interest of democracy. These two parties should forget their personal and party interests in the interest of the Nation.
@Yoghurt lover:
How Pakistanis want Pakistan to be 1. How Indians want Pakistan to be 0
I suggest you eat yoghurt and stop worring about imparting sense in the Pakistani military.
How dare he could snatch the limelight from me on the Balochistan Issue? How dare he impose the governor's rule for the arrest of terrorists?
@Indians and their pathetic issues. Leave ur pathetic comments out of our internal issues. Go post on Times of India website and please leave us alone. Thanking you in advance.
If that is true, then we thank the Military and Supreme Court for checking a shamelessly corrupt govt which has institutionalized corruption.
It is about time. SC should now register itself to take part in the coming elections.
They sold our kitchen along-with the sink and now its PPP is being discriminated against by everyone. They should throw away the keys in your case
@Iqbal: PM is not convicted yet. He is just an accused.
clash of institutions not good for a nascent democracy
Unfortunately, Pakistan has become a mixer of impotent political leadership, intemperate religious leadership, exhibitionist judiciary, hawk and corrupt military and civilian establishment, illiterate masses, pseudo civil society and self-centered intellectuals. No one can be trusted and nothing is impossible in the power game of Pakistani establishment. Norms of social, moral and ethical values have long gone. Only Allah (Subhanotala) can save Pakistan from the ultimate fate.
Thanks to SC even though very late but commendable order.
As I said in my earlier post many cats coming out of their bags now its turning true.sc.IK have shown soldierity with anti democrtic forces.Shame on such cheap ways to get fame.Open invitation to dictator to grab power for them.
The former Indian SC Chief Justice Katju had warned Pakistan when Gilani was convicted that such an interpretation of the Constitution was short sighted and will lead to problems.
The precedence has been set and any court in Pakistan can convict the sitting PM of Pakistan.
As far as I can remember, most of the people, especially Right Wingers were supporting the action on Gilani. Now, forever the PM of Pakistan has to remain in fear of going to jail.
You all have opened a can of worms. Even I am surprised that all this happened so soon.. Too bad.
India has given up the request of arrest of Terrorist Hafiz Saeed. Now, the demand is he be made the PM of Pakistan, so that he will be convicted by the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
http://www.theunrealtimes.com/2012/06/22/india-demands-hafiz-saeed-be-made-pakistan-pm-so-that-he-can-be-convicted-by-pakistan-supreme-court/
Fawad stupid made it worse for him by involving army name...
A convicted felon cannot remain a member of Parliament. If we are to believe Mr. Aitzaz Ahsan Raja Pervaiz Ashraf will be running the affairs of the country from Adiala Jail. Not likely. Hence a new PM (a caretaker?) has to be elected by Parliament.
Its all about point scoring. After Qadri's emergence as national hero, the other heroes felt left behind. PPP and allies should follow constiturion. NA can elect new PM. This time my favourite is Maulan Fazl-ur-Rehman.
Shame on you.. Fawad Chaudhry. Corruption is OK but arrest is a conpiracy?
Shame on you ,,, Fawad Chaudhry. Corruption is OK and arrest is a conspiracy?
Dictatorship 1. Democracy 0.
India should sever all ties with pakistan until some sense is infused into the military leadership.
Good show by SC once again. Political uncertainty is good for Pakistan economy.
Thanks to Supreme Court. PPP is advised to please not blame army and SC. You will have to face the accountability because you have done corruption.