Nisar says no chance of martial law in country

Opposition leader says PML-N will not support any undemocratic set up.

ISLAMABAD:

In an unlikely move, the main opposition party of the country threw its weight behind the government and ruled out any possibility of a “martial law” in the country.

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) said it will thwart the design of those elements who want to destroy the democratic set-up of the country.

“I assure you [lawmakers] my party will not support any undemocratic step against the government,” said Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, leader of the opposition in the National Assembly.

However, he stated that the current Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP)-led government put itself into trouble when it made claims like “the Army headquarters (GHQ) and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) are not answerable to us”.

“The current situation is very critical,” he said, adding, “The prime minister’s decisive role might avert threats the democratic set-up is now facing.”

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani for the first time publicly also accused non-democratic elements hatching conspiracies against the incumbent government. He questioned the credibility of armed forces over the Memogate and the May 2 Abbottabad raid which appears to be a major bone of contention in the on-going civil-military row.

However, the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly alleged the PPP-led government for losing civilian government’s writ over anti-democratic forces without mentioning their names.

“Premier Gilani should not use the word ‘Martial Law’ because it insults the democratic institutions.

“Although President Asif Ali Zardari breached the main opposition party’s trust when he did not fulfil his promises but the PML-N will still not be part of any conspiracy which may lead to martial law in the country,” he reiterated.

ANP backs up Gilani’s fiery speech

Backing up Premier Gilani’s fiery speech, Awami National Party’s (ANP) Railways Minister Ghulam Ahmed Bilour said, “Parliament is not answerable to any other institution [establishment] and rather all institutions are answerable to this august house.

“ANP fully supports Gilani and will not let any force derail democracy,” the ANP leader said.

Javed Hashmi’s treatment

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said that the government did not release funds for the treatment of PML-N MNA Javed Hashmi.

He said he regretted misinforming the National Assembly that the government released £30, 000 to Hashmi for his treatment in England.

“Necessary action will be taken against the officials who are responsible for it,” he said.

Hashmi, on a point of order, had sought an apology from the government over misinforming the lawmakers.

Threats to journalists

Deputy speaker of the National Assembly Faisal Karim Kundi also constituted a special committee comprising members from both the treasury and opposition benches to investigate the issue of threatening messages received by journalists. The committee will submit its report within 15 days.

It was revealed that the leader of opposition in National Assembly will head the committee.

Premier Gilani also assured the house that the government will ensure safety of journalists. Meanwhile, Minister for Religious Affairs Syed Khurshid Shah moved the motion for formation of a committee and PPP MNA Nadeem Afzal and Syed Sumsam Bokhari raised the issue on point of order, saying journalists were receiving life threats.

“If the parliamentarians do not support the media, it will promote a non-democratic attitude.”

Published in The Express Tribune, December 23^rd, 2011.