Judicial meddling makes elections useless: Gilani
Former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has said that elections have been rendered useless because the judiciary now makes the decisions of the executive and interferes with the decisions of the government.
Hitting out at the Supreme Court over its National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) judgement that saw him disqualified as a member of the National Assembly earlier this year, Gilani said: “There is no need for elections since the judges want to govern the country on their own.”
While talking to media during an Iftar ceremony given in the honour of journalists of Multan, Gilani said that if decision’s regarding the fate of the prime ministers will be taken by the judges then elections are a mere drama.
“We have fought many dictators but it seems that the judiciary is the dictator today,” he contended.
“If you ask me, I will surely go for a protest at all levels against judicial oppression in the country.”
He added that the prospects of a stable Pakistan would diminish if incumbent Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, who is also Gilani’s successor, is sacked. “If Ashraf asked me for advice, I will say reject their orders. Judiciary is the constitutional unconstitutionally,” asserted Gilani.
He was of the view that the judiciary has declared itself the custodians of sovereignty of the country and is directly interfering in all internal affairs of the government.
“The law of necessity used by the judiciary has not only destroyed Pakistan but has also jolted the country and its sovereignty. It seems they are nourishing the concept of controlled democracy. Today I want to reveal that we are not an independent nation because we are forced to follow their unconstitutional orders. And my sacking was unconstitutional.”
He demanded that if all orders are referred to parliament for endorsement then the executive order which reinstated the judiciary should also be referred to parliament for endorsement.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 16th, 2012.
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Gilani sounds extremely convincing. However, he did not mention that reason why he ordered the release and restoration of PCO judges. In addition, he did not mention the real patrons of this existing judiciary which has crossed its constitutional limits. In fact, the patrons got the PCO judges reinstated and now they have been using the same judiciary as a new arsenal against democratically elected government. People are fully aware of the non-civilian actors and they even know their malicious intentions as well. It is now time for all democratic forces to unite against judicial activism and establish the supremacy of civilians and the parliament.
@Anoni, Just to add to your info - he hasn't lost that seat. His son is elected on the PPP seat. No point being afraid of losing, he wouldn't lose.
It seems like he is scared with the possibility of Fair election.
My parents and I have never voted in any election in Pakistan. We know it is useless to vote because our votes are not imp. It is the army and judiciary who have assumed divine powers over elected govt and can make it disappear in a moment. Our votes do not matter; it is the army which controls the fate of the country and always draws their inspiration and justification of high treason from the SC. It was not just Gen Zia but the LHC and SC judges who had hanged the elected PM ZAB. The day generals and judges hanged ZAB, they proved that they can do anything to any person in Pakistan and get away with that as well.