File photo of Prime Minister Ashraf.
KARACHI: After the Supreme Court’s (SC) arrest orders against Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, the government has lost its constitutional right to rule the country, declared Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F) Sindh general secretary Imtiaz Shaikh on Tuesday.
The apex court has exposed the incompetency and corruption of government officials, who should immediately resign on moral grounds, he said, while speaking to the media.
Nationalists welcome order
The Save Sindh Movement, an alliance of Sindhi nationalist parties, has welcomed Supreme Court’s decision to arrest the prime minister in the rental power plants case.
“We had already expressed our concern against Ashraf [while] raising our voice to avoid appointing a corrupt prime minister but no one heard our pleas,” said Jalal Mehmood Shah, the movement’s convenor, in a statement issued on Tuesday.
He claimed the Pakistan Peoples Party had appointed Ashraf deliberately. “No one should be above the law. This decision has proved that the current government is the most corrupt in the country, which has destroyed all institutions.”
Awami Tehreek’s Ayaz Latif Palijo was of the view that the prime minister should tender apology and step down. “The government should implement the court orders without any delay,” he added.
Afaq Ahmed’s reaction
Mohajir Qaumi Movement-Haqiqi’s Afaq Ahmed expressed reservations over the “political turmoil” that has gripped the country, and said that the National Assembly and provincial assemblies need to be dissolved and fresh elections called. A caretaker set up needs to be put in place soon, demanded Ahmed.
“The only reason that various circles are working to change the government is that it has been busy trying to stay in power, instead of working for the welfare of the state and the people.”
‘Army to stay within bounds’
The Jamaat-e-Islami Karachi chief, Muhammad Hussain Mehenti, welcomed the apex court’s decision to arrest Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf, and also advised the military to stay within constitutional bounds.
Keeping in mind the situation in the country, and especially Karachi, a caretaker government needs to be put in place immediately and a schedule for fresh elections released, said Mehenti, at a press conference at Idara Noor-e-Haq on Tuesday.
The apex court’s decision represents the will of the people, he said. “[Authorities] should investigate every person who is involved in corruption.”
Published in The Express Tribune, January 16th, 2013.
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