Common agenda: Lawyers urged to work with govt to infuse democratic values

CM throws weight behind Imran Khan, says he is willing to challenge status quo


Our Correspondent September 16, 2016
Khattak said his efforts received widespread opposition but the government did not buckle under pressure and sought to ensure public welfare. PHOTO: INP

PESHAWAR: Lawyers in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-led provincial government should join hands to inculcate democratic values as they share a common agenda to uphold social justice.

This was said by Chief Minister Pervez Khattak and was mentioned in a handout issued by the CM’s Secretariat on Friday. Khattak was addressing a delegation from Pakistan Bar Council at CM House.

“Lawyers [are] trying to stop the lengthening shadow of injustices [from spreading across the province],” the handout cited Khattak as saying. “They have the same agenda and mission as the government.”

The CM added the collective efforts between the legal fraternity and the provincial administration will infuse the spirit of justice and equality in society and ensure the writ of the law is upheld.



“The society will have the resilience and strength to challenge any injustice by itself,” the document quoted Khattak as saying.

According to the handout, delegation members threw their weight behind the government in the struggle to provide justice to vulnerable sections of society.

Reflections on change

Khattak added previous governments had not prioritised the grievances of the poor and had looted the people.

“The nation is fortunate to have a leader like PTI chief Imran Khan who is willing to challenge the status quo,” the document cited him as saying. He also shed light on the circumstances that enabled PTI to assume public office in the province.

“[The PTI-led government] was voted into power to eliminate rampant corruption in society,” the handout cited the CM as saying.

He recalled that the people of K-P were disenchanted by the status quo and wanted a change in governance to infuse democratic principles and quell social injustices.

“Before the PTI came into power, people used to go from pillar to post to obtain justice,” the document quoted Khattak as saying. “That is why people chose PTI to represent them and protect the interests of the vulnerable sections of society.”

According to the chief minister, the first thing the PTI-led administration did was improve the operation of public sectors institutions. He added these institutions were brought in the right direction to reflect the basic objectives for which they were established.

Public welfare

Khattak said his efforts received widespread opposition but the government did not buckle under pressure and sought to ensure public welfare.  “The PTI-led government is working on providing justice,” the handout cited the CM as saying.

He admitted there were still a diverse menu of obstacles that had to be reckoned with. However, Khattak insisted empowering people at the grass-roots level will create a problem-solving network that would benefit the public.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 17th, 2016.

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