PTI shows respect for national institutions

Shafqat Mehmood says Sharifs tarnishing image of judiciary

LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shafqat Mahmood has said national institutions are much bigger than people and must be respected. He said nobody has the right to tarnish their image.

He made these remarks during a press conference on Thursday. He lashed out at his political rivals by saying that his party will stand with national institutions, including the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) and Pakistan Army. “If deposed premier Muhammad Nawaz Sharif dares to initiate s movement against national institutions, the PTI will counter it with the help of public force.”

Mahmood said the ruling party was threatening the apex court and judges, thus harming the judicial system of the country. “The judiciary and judges have shown a lot of patience, but everyone has their limits. It doesn't matter who is the judge is or not.

The way they are speaking about courts and the judiciary is affecting the institution. A notice should be taken of these statements,” he urged judges.



He said everyone had the right to express their opinion on the apex court decision, but it was irrational to malign judges of the top court. He underscored that the ruling family was trying to give this impression that all judges were against them.

“They are also hurting the sentiments of the Pakistan Army. Sharif wants to ruin the entire system because he knows all his assets and properties will be confiscated in punishment for his deeds,” he added.

Mahmood said Sharif’s offspring was also trying to threaten national institutions and pressurise apex court judges. He asked judges to take notice of ruling party’s statements and punish them.

He said instead of showing leniency, the court should initiate action. He reiterated that if the ruling party started any movement against the judiciary, PTI would be ready to counter it.

The PTI leader said government was everything for the Sharif family and they were hatching a well-planned conspiracy.

“The elder brother always talks about an attack on the judiciary while the younger brother opposes his statement, just to extend his tenure.”

Published in The Express Tribune, December 22^nd, 2017.