Taxila rally: PML-N launches ‘save the judiciary’ movement
Starting with a rally in Taxila on Saturday, the opposition took its protest against the premier from the assembly floor to the streets.
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) announced the commencement of its protest movement against Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, for his refusal to step down after being convicted in a contempt case. However, while the campaign was initially announced to be against the premier’s defiance, PML-N’s ire was directed largely towards President Asif Ali Zardari, whom the party held responsible for not letting the premier follow court orders.
“This is a war to save the Supreme Court,” PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif said, asking the people to be prepared for a ‘long march.’ “The Supreme Court wants to bring back the money stashed in Swiss banks but the government refuses to listen,” Nawaz said.
“We will not rest until the $60 million is brought back,” he added.
Nawaz also thrashed the government for its performance.
“We were willing to be a part of the government to help it move forward … But you tell me: Will you sit in a car which has an inexperienced driver?” he asked rhetorically.
“This government claims of completing its five-year tenure, but what has it achieved in these five years?” he said.
The PML-N chief also commented on the deteriorating law and order situation in various areas of the country: “Is there anyone who cares about Lyari? Or the security situation of Karachi, Balochistan, or Gilgit-Baltistan?”
For all its shortcomings, Nawaz stopped short of asking the government to pack up and hold early elections. In fact, he said, he did not come to the city for an election campaign.
“We have come here for the security and survival of Pakistan … We are here for the future of our children,” he said.
Hitting out at PTI
Earlier, Leader of Opposition Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, who has been elected from Taxila six times, boasted that the rally was organised within three days and this was just a “trailer”. He also hit out at Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
“The ones who talk about bringing a revolution – they won’t bring any revolution, they can only bring agony. Ask them what their policy is about Kashmir, about labourers, about farmers and about the US. He [PTI chairman Imran Khan] comes on stages with his rote-learned speeches and starts accusing us,” he stated.
Chaudhry Nisar pointed out that, after the Supreme Court indicted Gilani, Imran Khan said he will wait for a detailed order – and Gilani, in return, started appreciating the PTI chief.
PPP’s reaction
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira said that Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) does not need an interpretation of the Supreme Court’s short order in the prime minister’s contempt case by the Sharif brothers and Chaudhry Nisar.
Talking to media in Murree, Kaira said: “We only accept the interpretation of the public, and PPP is enjoying full support and mandate of the public.”
The minister said that all political allies have expressed confidence in Gilani, and advised the Sharif brothers to highlight ‘real issues’ being faced by the country, rather than trying to influence the court.
Allies’ reaction
Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Haidar Abbas Rizvi said that the opposition parties, including the PML-N, must wait for the final detailed verdict of the Supreme Court before taking any decision.
Talking to a private news channel, Rizvi said that the prime minister still has the right to appeal in the case.
He added that democracy gives every political party the right to protest, however, assembly sessions should not be halted.
Awami National Party (ANP) leader Senator Afrasiyab Khattak said that the announcement of a long march by the PML-N in the present political situation is an ‘irresponsible decision’.
Talking to a private news channel, he said if any party is considering a change in the country, it should be brought through a democratic and constitutional way.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 6th, 2012.
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It is wrong to say, Supreme Court is unsaved, Supreme Court is strongest institution of the country, no one can even think to move against its honor.
Appeal against judgment is a legal right of convicted person, let the detailed judgment come,then should adopt options, blindly to move is not favor of the country and the democratic process.
Let the train run on the track,don't try to derail it.
I heard the guy speak. All allegations that will in the end help him. But what is there for the poor man on the street? What is there for Pakistan? He could not make one policy level statement. Wish he had announced The Land Ceiling Program that would restrict land holding and released land for the landless poor. But he is not the one to do anything good for Pakistan. For himself, yes. To use people as his ladder to climb to power yes. Nothing more. May Allah give him some brains to understand what good leadership is about. And he did not forget to castigate Musharraf. People start laughing when he bemoans Musharraf.
PML-N and Sharif brothers are political offspring of the worst dictator Gen Zia. There is nothing democratic about them and their methods. They have the support of PCO SC otherwise they have cases pending against them including attacking the SC. If they were this popular then why were they bundled out twice by the dictator Mush? How many people came out to give their lives for them and offered their bodies for flogging? Gen Mush knew full well how to deal with the PCO judges and Sharif Brothers. Mush used NS’s tried and tested recipe and attacked the SC and like NS he also got away with that. Like NS, Mush knew that attacking the SC is not a contempt of court.
great.. impressive show by Chaudhry Nisar