Pakistan

Law minister lobbying against judiciary: Sharif

Nawaz Sharif has claimed that former president Pervez Musharraf was sent abroad under a mutual understanding.

Express June 26, 2010

Chief of his own faction of the Pakistan Muslim League, Nawaz Sharif, has claimed that former president Pervez Musharraf was sent abroad under a mutual understanding between the former military ruler and the PPP-led government. He has also alleged that the federal law minister has been “roaming with cash-filled briefcases...trying to create a group of lawyers against Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry.”

Addressing a public meeting in Sialkot on Saturday, Sharif said Musharraf was responsible for the sacking of the judiciary, killing of Baloch politician Nawab Akbar Bugti and the Lal Masjid operation. And he must be tried for all these “crimes.”

Citing the dismissal of top US commander in Afghanistan General Stanley McChrystal, Sharif said if a serving general could be sacked in the US, whycan a former general not be put on trial in Pakistan.

The PML-N chief said despite his repeated reminders after the 2008 general elections, PPP Co-Chairperson Asif Zardari did not implement the Charter of Democracy (CoD) he had signed with slain PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto. He added that the CoD was designed to strengthen democracy in Pakistan.

Sharif said President Zardari wanted to protect Pervez Musharraf and therefore the former military ruler was given a guard of honour and safe exit later on.

The PML-N chief claimed that his nomination papers were rejected for the 2008 general elections in an attempt to thwart the formation of a PML-N government at the centre. He also said that his party did not want to join the federal cabinet and that its ministers were forced by President Zardari to take oath of office from Musharraf.

Sharif said his party did not surrender to dictators and instead faced difficult times with courage and determination for the sake of democracy. “The government tried to stop our long march for the reinstatement of sacked judges by imposing governor’s rule in Punjab...but the judges were destined to be reinstated,” he said.

Sharif alleged that Law Minister Babar Awan was lobbying against Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry. “He has been misusing taxpayers’ money to buy loyalties of black sheep in the lawyers’ community,” Sharif alleged.

The PML-N chief dispelled the impression that his party was playing the role of friendly opposition in parliament. “Had the PML-N been a friendly opposition, it would have not staged a long march against the PPP-led government,” he added. Sharif said his party was pursuing a national agenda and would continue to do so for greater good of the people.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 27^th, 2010.

COMMENTS (2)

Sultan Ahmed | 14 years ago | Reply Some time when we see back the history of dictators in Pakistan we come to the conclusion that those days were better in comparison of present time. Families are committing suicide now days due to lack of life ingredients , industries is going to end,electricity comes and go with short intermission, time and again,It is wrong to say opposition is not friendly with the ruling party some agreements are witness in this regard,look at the poor man, where he stand , at the brink of ablaze, smoke and flames can be seen from his house. explosive,bomb blast,suicide attack and insurgency are fruit of democracy what leaders of their respective function is talking about. History is witness, Ayoub Khan ruled over the country peacefully General Zia came during the tremendous unrest and remained more than 10 years there was no such circumstances as found today. Musharraf come into power by toppling civilian government.his tenor was better than existing democratic set up.poor people commit no suicide with innocent kids earned their livelihood peacefully passed enjoy full life.and today? The reality is that democracy in Pakistan is impossible.

Noor Nabi | 14 years ago | Reply Once upon a time a man by the name of Rafiq Tarar was shuttling between cities with briefcases full of cash. If Nawaz Sharif will condemn Mr. Tarar's actions then his allegation levelled against Babar Awan for doing the same disgraceful act merits further investigation and, if proven, unanimous condemnation. Mr. Sharif cannot be selective in applying the principles of morality when it suits him.

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