LAHORE:
PPP leader Babar Awan warned on Friday that the “rope around the neck of the parliament was being tightened” and blamed opposition leader Nawaz Sharif for doing so. Awan, a former law minister, is seen to be close to President Zardari.
Addressing a press conference in Lahore, Awan said that those behind this conspiracy have done so four times in the past too and warned that these forces were active once again.
Speaking at the residence of PPP Leader of Opposition in the Punjab Assembly, Raja Riaz, Awan slammed Nawaz Sharif for moving the Supreme Court in the Memogate case. He also indirectly criticised the role of the judiciary in this regard.
Awan seemed to convey that Sharif and the judiciary have formed a nexus against the present democratic set-up. He called them the political “Tara Masih” of Pakistan. It may be recalled that Tara Masih was one the country’s most famous hangmen, who also led Zulfikar Ali Bhutto to the gallows.
Awan assured reporters that despite the conspiracy against the present government, it would complete its tenure, “come what may.”
Awan told reporters that Nawaz Sharif had earlier hatched conspiracies against the late Benazir Bhutto and helped topple her government twice. He added that the older generation of non-political leaders who took root in 1985, were now using the new generation as front men in the Memogate issue, citing the role he claimed was being played by Khawaja Asif, the son of former politician Khawaja Safder.
Awan said that Nawaz Sharif had joined forces with those who strangled democracy in Pakistan. He noted that on the unfortunate anniversary of December 16, the day when Pakistani forces surrendered to the Indians, another application had been moved in court which was a conspiracy against democracy. He referred to Ishaq Dar and Khawaja Asif who filed applications in the Supreme Court pleading to include three others in the Memogate hearings.
Awan said the constitution clearly stated the powers and limitations of every institution. He also warned the courts indirectly not to strangle democracy. “We should all support democracy which was established with the help of the ballot not the bullet.”
Published in The Express Tribune, December 17th, 2011.
COMMENTS (11)
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Is it not because PPP want the senate elections to make sure they have the upper house before the parliament elections? They are sure to lose the next NA elections (2013), but still want to be in a bargaining position by getting senate majority (2012) and hinder any legislation by next elected government (2013-17), making sure they stay out of jails post 2013...something opposition and the establishment is bent on denying them. For PPP conducting premature elections in 2012 is a pure suicide - they lose the NA majority/government and the senate right after that. 2012-16 in that case will prove to be their potential jail terms and judicial inquiries. By the 2016 elections (if anti-PPP wins that is) PPP leaders would be so exhausted by the hailstorm of cases and hearings they would be practically out of politics. They will have nothing left to build on. What it seems, there is this tug of war between PPP and "others". The sad part is that present government didn't anticipate this 2 years ago - it's obvious they ignored its gravity - otherwise they would've sacrificed their short term gains for long term survival of their party and general good of democracy. It's safe to say PPP had it coming.
But hey, democracy is a slippery slope in times of conflicts such as these! PPP v/s Others is almost identical to Pakistan v/s US: "if I go, we all go"...and I suppose they are on track.
No one can do anything to democracy except its own democratic leadership when it betrays its own people and nation and gets immersed in loving its power and not its Nation!!!
Maybe a a better use of Tara Maseih would be to get rid of fake Ph.D's like "Dr." Awan.
What would be the reaction if Army was actually staging a coup ? Who is the wolf ? Is army spotless ?
Mr. Babar Awan is what is traditionally known as a chamcha. His statements are more to please his masters than make an sense or clarify any issue with the public.
The more statements from him about Zardari coming back "next week", the more I feel this is not going to happen.
if Parliament is full of traitors or commits an act if treason then hang them all. Remember democracy is a double edge sword. It not only allows corrupt to rob the country it also holds them accountable. Hanging a corrupt politician or condemning a corrupt party is not derailment of democratic process but it is one of its its attributes
Notice to all concerned; Mr AAZ has changed his name to Mr Parliament Bilawal Bhutto.If you have any doubts please see the Mr Babar Awan.
Pakistanis are fed up with present form of democracy and persons like fake Dr awan
Those who wants fair treatment should come with fair hands.More over whole system should not be destroyed for the sin of one person.
After Gen Jones's clear statement the SC of Pakistan has no reason to continue with this case. The PCO SC has become a petty trial court and not the last appeals court. We all have demanded the restoration of judiciary by the general but looks like Gen Mush treated them on merit?