‘PDM’ made judiciary correct course

Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Monday noted that the “performance of judiciary had improved” after their protest demonstration outside the Supreme Court, adding that not even a blade of grass was damaged during their sit-in.

The ruling coalition, in March, staged a sit-in outside the apex court building as it demanded resignation of Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial for allegedly giving preferential treatment to the PTI chief.

The ruling alliance had announced the protest after a three-judge bench led by CJP on May 11 declared the PTI chairperson's arrest from the premises of the Islamabad High Court illegal and directed his immediate release.

Addressing the media after meeting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at his Model Town Lahore residence, the PDM chief maintained that they were the “well-wishers” of the judiciary.

He said they protested outside the top court after a question was raised on its impartiality.

“We protested in Islamabad after which its (apex court’s) performance has improved.”

Fazl observed that not even a blade of grass was damaged during the sit-in rather, “we protected even the plants ourselves”.

He said other political and religious parties had also been staging protests, but they remained peaceful and no one went to the extent of setting ablaze state property.

Opposing any kind of talks with the PTI chairman, the PDM chief backed the government’s stance of prosecuting those who had attacked the military installations on May 9, saying the accused will have a chance to appeal before the high courts.

He held the PTI responsible for the sky-rocketing inflation and said that the next government will also not be able to handle the financial burden.

He said the PDM was not part of an electoral alliance but the coalition parties could make adjustment at the district level.

Earlier, the PDM chief and Federal Minister for Communications Maulana Asad Mahmood discussed the budget for fiscal 2023-24 as well as the overall political situation in the country.