It is more than important to set precedents for other politicians and future leaders
SIALKOT: Although Nawaz Sharif has been ousted from both the premiership and party leadership, PML-N policies are likely to remain unchanged. Meddling with the work of the investigation committees and legislative bodies to cover for fraudulent practices and monetary evasions is to prevail. The newly elected PM, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, in an interview to a renowned journalist on August 8th stated that his party will try to repeal Article 62(1) (f) of the Constitution with a consensus in parliament. The very clause deems that a person shall not qualify to be chosen as a member of parliament if he is not righteous, honest and Ameen. The same clause led to the disqualification of PM Nawaz Sharif.
Similarly, in an attempt to keep the tax information and asset details of the Sharif family and of the Finance Minister Ishaq Dar from disclosure, the Senate’s standing committee on finance was presented the opinion by the law ministry that the required tax details can only be disclosed to the Senate on orders of court.
Regardless of the knowledge of the law in question and the legal understanding of the matter, this clearly appears to be an attempt to save the former prime minister, his children and his close aide Ishaq Dar from further investigation under the law. The said law must be interpreted neutrally and without any bias by the ministry of law and the judiciary in order to clear out the ambiguity attached to its application. It is more than important to set precedents for other politicians and future leaders through unquestioned implementation of law so that democracy shall not be derailed in the future and democratic governments may continue to complete their tenure, constitutionally.
Mohsin Hamid
Published in The Express Tribune, August 10th, 2017.
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