The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) will start a campaign of rallies in support of the judiciary from June 18 with a procession led by party chief Imran Khan in Lahore, said PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Saturday.
All regional PTI offices will also organise rallies in major cities and districts, Qureshi told a press conference, where he was accompanied by PTI Central Information Secretary Shafqat Mahmood and Punjab Information Secretary Andaleeb Abbas.
Qureshi said that the Malik Riaz case was a plot against the independent judiciary. He said that the PTI had always backed the judiciary and would do all it could to defend the institution.
He condemned the “framing of the judiciary by Malik Riaz”, which he thought was “as serious an attack” on the judges as when General Pervez Musharraf tried to remove the chief justice of the Supreme Court.
He said that “backstage actors” were targeting not just the chief justice, but the entire institution.
He said that the “ruling elite” had instigated the “plot” in revenge for the many Supreme Court judgements that had gone against it, particularly in the prime minister’s contempt case. “The recently aired footage of a TV interview has revealed the PM’s House’s connections with Malik Riaz,” he said.
Qureshi said the government had already politicised institutions like the National Accountability Bureau and the Federal Investigation Agency so that they had totally failed to provide accountability.
Qureshi, a former foreign minister, said an independent judiciary and an independent media were the “only hope” for the citizens of Pakistan. He said the PTI would not tolerate the undermining of the judges because an independent judiciary was an imperative for free, fair and impartial elections.
He invited all parties “not involved in the Malik Riaz case” to join the PTI in their struggle to protect the Supreme Court. He urged civil society and the general public to join the PTI campaign.
Published In The Express Tribune, June 17th, 2012.
COMMENTS (43)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
So a man who stands for justice is "not playing his cards right"? Always remember that if there would not be an independent judiciary, there would be corruption, and corruption leads to all the major menaces in the society like load shedding and inflation that everyone here is talking about. So all those who are saying that why doesnt Imran stand against load shedding dont see the bigger and actual picture. For people like you there are always parties there like Noora League who would just try to cash in on the emotions and our public will say wow they care for us so much. In reality they're all ignoring the big and real issue concerning Pakistan since its creation, that is not letting justice reach the people and a whole system of injustice.
Those who are suppose to give us energy are protesting with us. Electricity is basic of life but protest will not bring it back. How long they will show false opposition. These two parties will raise false slogans to make fool of public.
With PTI and Judiciary. Electricity issue will drag for time and will remain with us as it is can't be fix in a day and current rulers failed too. There is no hope from current regime.
Is PTI trying to subvert justice ?
Please wait Kaptan sb untill Arsalan comes cleanI do not understand the self righteous attitude of PTI supports, @brothers Zulfiqar, zahid and other pti friends, you should understand that every non PTI supporter is equally educated, patriot and has understanding of political issues. Most of Lahoris will agree with me that we received light for hardly 5-6 hours during past 24 hours. Right now, people cannot think of any protests other than for electricity issue.
Perhaps the 'intelligent' people should try living in the cities where loadshedding is 22/24 hours and then we'l see if they still speak of the free judiciary. If IK doesnt bother about the energy crisis now, how can we expect he will once he is in power? I do not buy his free-juidiciary-and-everything-would-be-alright theory. This long run you are talking about is too long, by then you might have a free judiciary but no country.
reading some of the comments have enforced my believe that we Pakistanis are not very intelligent. I mean this is a make or break situation for us and we are complaining about load shedding? what would corrupt politicians for load shedding even if you complain? standing by judiciary is the only moving forward, getting rid Pakistan from corrupt politicians. we need to let them know that their time is over. once we have nationalist leader in power, he will work toward fixing our other problems including load shedding in due time.
time for Pakistanis will get worse and worse with time if we don't do anything about corrupt leaders.
half of time he is away in west enjoying 'weather ' how come he devites time 'problem solving for pakistanis' writings are very much on wall - pti wither away.
@PakJam: Probably because pro-PTI comments double as spam for the most part. Few people are interested in seeing floods of people saying they like PTI and everyone should vote for them without a shred of any other content.
Reading out all the comments here, it shows how immature we all are and we deserve a place where we are standing right now. People please open your eyes, ears and mind, the independent judiciary is the only thing which we have with us, apart from that we do not have anything, this issue is of supreme importance. PTI has already given its plan for energy crisis, everything lies with the government right now, PTI just cant do anything because this govt wont listen to PTI when they are not listening to the all other who are crying and shouting. Please dont mix up things, the time for elections is near, VOTE FOR IMRAN KHAN, he is the only Hope else get ready for the even worst Pakistan possible.
NO JUSTICE, NO PAKISTAN..... It is as simple as that !!
i agree with most of people talking about load shedding .. very true, but let me tell you this guys !! energy crisis can be solved in 2 3 years but let's not forget that we have for the first time ever in 65 years an independent judiciary and we MUST not lose it.
Are we all ready to wait for another 65 years if this judiciary falls? lets back this judiciary as its the most important factor for any country to survive or we are doomed. Energy crisis can be handled in 2 3 years MAX .
This sort of movement must also be deemed contempt of court. It is an attempt to make the SC politicized and controversial. The SC must take notice of this and stop it.
@ 3footninja...spot on dude!
@Ordinary Villager
Please correct yourself, Mian Amir is not a memebr of PTI; he was and maybe is part of PML-Q.
@saeed,
Energy crisis this summer wont be resolved by energy conferences arranged in 5 star hotels. Only public protests on roads can force this govt to clear circular debt and lessen this loadshedding. What concrere solution has been suggested by IK on energy crisis? can he go for kalabagh dam in his backyard? Important question: Politicial leaders are supposed to stand for people. how many protests PTI have staged so far on energy crisis?Please think positively, energy conference is not our solution, do a few dozen protests and you will see these IPP's will produce all required electricity.
Long Live IK
So are all PTI supporters going to move out of Bahria Town as well? Or is it all talk no action?
Why can’t we emerge from this delusion that Chief Justice can change the system? He is just one member of the judiciary, and will retire one day. Talk about common issues like inflation, load shedding. PTI should now emerge as party of the masses. PTI is still stuck in the lawyer’s movement that failed to bring any relief to the common man. Imran incorrectly exaggerated the role of CJ restoration. Except for some naïve middle class, most of poor masses have no concern with this recent scandal. This protest will be an exercise in futility; it will only reaffirm the views of the existing supporters, it won’t bring new converts towards PTI.
Mr Imran Khan Mian Amir the owner of Dunya News is in PTI. When you are going to expel him from the Party due to his media manipulation. Why PTI is silent on Mian Amir's issue who is a front man of Malik Riaz.???
@dou: PMLN playing cards not helping nation! When will people understand that without independent and strong state institutions nothing can be fixed in this country! Think long term not short term as always!
ET is so biased that it makes sure to delete pro-PTI comments.... yellow sahafat at its best!!!
IK has now totally lost the plot . People have realized that he a 3rd tier leader and was recently was only made part of a 4 guest list at Capital Talk , whereas he was lobbying to be the exclusive guest.
@Kaleem..when PTI staged rallies against load shedding you all cried that what will happen with this..PTI should give its own policy that how they will solve this issue..now PTI has done energy conference and has given solutions that is PTI comes into power they will do these steps..now you are advising same to PTI again..why to compare these two things..only because Malik Riaz is so power full that no other party has courage to stage rallies...so if PTI si doing it alone it will fail..I feel ashamed and helpless on my country man when I see people only criticizing Imran khan and PTI so that some how they can reduce the popularity of it..does not matter if PTI does good things..they only want to criticize for there own interests..where is Nawaz shareef..shahbaz sharef..the champion of democracy..I have not heard them saying a single word on malik riaz..May Allah bless this country..the institutions are collapsing and we are fighting among our selves...
You don't like what PTI is doing? Try going out to stage a protest against the govt. IK's been doing it for the last 16 years. What have YOU done? Other than sitting comfortably in your AC'ed rooms punching the keyboard??!?! Gosh! this country doesn't deserve sincere, honest, and hardworking men like IK. What a bunch of sore whiners you are...
PTI would do well if they find time to read the statement dr Arsalan made to the court on June 6th.Please also go through Ms Amina Jillani article Son also Rises published recently in ET. Please use others energy for productive purpose.
IK , this sought of politics doesn't suites you .our problems are different and you are going for publicity campaigns for your party
Cheap Politics
IK saheb, plz also sack Hamid khan from the party. He's part of dunya gate.
The pro judiciary movement by IK is going to turn out to be a big flop as everyone shall soon see.
Processions for judiciary will further politicise the courts. PTI has been ill advised and should not involve itself is such an activity.Judiciary has already been damaged by the infighting of Political Parties. It is time to embrace rationality!
The Supreme Court should take notice of any such campaign or long march - pressuring the independent inquiry promised by the Government.
I believe Mr Hamid Khan, the lawyer and defender of Malik Riaz till a few weeks back, shall be in the forefront of this protest.
I am not appreciating this! Mr. Sonami Khan... be a neutral while Court is working on this case. Don't just support the Judiciary blindly.
what about pti election manifesto - or it will be 'bycotted' as usual.
Weldone Mr. Imran Khan, all patriotic and sicere Paksitani will join your hand, corrupt will be defeated, heher and after here world.
Mr. IK, our lives are at a standstill due to the prevailing energy crisis and all you can think of is the judiciary? I dont want the N league to win again but they are playing there cards better than you now
Now please PML-N. Do not announce your campaign on June 17. P.S go khan sahib. We are with you.
Punishing people in mid june is not a good idea.
PLEASE, stage rallies against loadshedding, we are not interested in malik riaz and his allegations. IK, please wake up.