Shock, joy, anger among capital’s residents

PTI supporters elated, PML-N supporters disgruntled while others remain indifferent

ISLAMABAD: There was a mixed reaction to the Supreme Court’s decision disqualifying Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for holding a work visa of a Dubai based company.

Most people were polarised along party lines.

Supporters of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), whose chief had led a key charge in the Panama Papers case, were overjoyed to learn about the ouster of the premier.

On the other hand, supporters and voters of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) were disgruntled and mournful.

However, a large number of people, irrespective of political affiliations, were genuinely surprised at verdict disqualifying the premier, stating that such a decision was not expected at this stage of the case. However, people from across the political spectrum agreed that the process of accountability should not end with Sharifs, rather all those who had accumulated wealth beyond known means should be investigated.



“I am happy that Nawaz has been ousted. There should be no place for corrupt politicians in Pakistan,” said Usman, a PTI voter. He added that the credit for taking the Sharifs to task goes to PTI chief Imran Khan.

The supporters of PML-N, however, were venomous in their reactions to the apex court’s decision.

“It is not accountability, it is a witch hunt,” mourned a PML-N supporter.

“Why is that a prime minister after prime minister is sent home on charges of corruption?” he asked, as he brushed away requests for his name.

He, however, highlighted the need for the continuity of the democratic process and supremacy of the Parliament. He said the trend of courts disqualifying prime ministers did not bode well for the country.

Those not claiming affiliation to any particular party, however, appeared indifferent to the Panama verdict, saying it would probably not impact them.

“It [disqualification of the premier] is big news, but I do not think this would mean anything for the poor,” lamented Muhammad Aslam, a commuter. “It would matter if our lifestyle was going to improve with this decision, but it is not. So for us [the common man], the equation does not change whoever the prime minister is.”

Abolish Articles 62, 63: AWP

Meanwhile, supporters of the leftist Awami Workers Party (AWP) voiced concern over the disqualification of an elected prime minister and called for doing away with Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution under which Nawaz was disqualified on Friday.

The party feared that the Supreme Court decision would further deepen the political crisis in the country instead of putting an end to corruption.

“The decision has set a new precedence that henceforth all political controversies, economic and governance issues will be settled through courts and not through Parliament. It will thus have serious consequences for democracy and the country,” a party statement said.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 29^th, 2017.