Khursheed Shah urges Nawaz, CJP to practice restraint

Leader of opposition expresses reservations over recent SC orders on provision of security

ISLAMABAD: Leader of Opposition in National Assembly Khursheed Shah on Monday urged former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Saqib Nisar to practice restrain when it comes to delivering statements against one another.

Speaking to media on Monday, Shah said conflict between state institutions posed a danger to the democratic process. He said the conflict between the government and the judiciary was acquiring dangerous proportions.

“I apologise but Sharif should not be making such statements,” he said. “I also apologise to the chief justice but he should not deliver such statements either,” Shah said.

The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader said if the judiciary began to address from the rostrum, people could cast doubts on it impartiality. “The situation worries me,” added Shah. “The PPP did not render sacrifices to see this day," he added.

Referring to recent top court directives on withdrawing security of individuals not entitled to protection, Shah said the judiciary would draw flak in the scenario of a politician being attacked.“The judiciary should not intervene in such matters”.



Reminiscing about the assassination of former premier Benazir Bhutto, Shah claimed the incident had taken place after former president Pervez Musharraf ordered her security withdrawn. “Asfandyar Wali Khan, Maulana Fazlur Rehman have (also) been attacked. “Will the chief justice be answerable if something untoward happens,” he said.

Speaking on Sharif and daughter Maryam’s London trip to see ailing Kulsoom, Shah said  he always knew the deposed premier would return. “Sharif would be reduced to a political nonentity if he chose to remain in London given the struggle he has become party to," he said. Shah also prayed for Kulsoom's speedy recovery, saying she had fought for democracy.