Shehbaz hits out at 'double standards' of judiciary

PM urges all to play their part in establishing rule of law in the country

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday decried what he termed the "double standards" of the judiciary while dealing with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, and urged everyone to play their part in establishing the rule of law in the country.

The remarks came as the Islamabad High Court (IHC) extended the bail of the PTI chief in nine cases. The court extended the ousted premier's bail in two cases till May 9 and extended his bail in seven other cases for another 10 days.

Meanwhile, an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore also extended the pre-arrest bails of PTI leaders, including chairman Imran Khan and senior leader Fawad Chaudhry, until May 16.

The bails were granted in connection with different FIRs registered against them for allegedly attacking police officials, creating law and order situation, causing panic, setting ablaze state property at Zaman Park, and the PTI chief's alleged involvement in the Zille Shah murder case.

Read more: Imran gets relief from IHC in nine cases

"In the past, opposition leader of that time were  sent to jails, injustice and excesses were being committed, but there was nobody to question it," Shehbaz said while talking to reporters in London.

"Some were unwell while in custody, somebody's sister was detained on the night before Eid, and someone's daughter was arrested from prison."

The premier was referring to the treatment meted out to PML-N leaders, including himself, during the tenure of the PTI-led government.

Shehbaz said that courts in Pakistan today were granting bails "day and night, and within minutes" provinding dozens of them. "No one would approve of this double standard," he added.

He further said that the government was carrying out their responsibilities to uphold the supremacy of the Constitution and the law, and they will not shy away from making any sacrifice for this cause.