Government mocking judiciary by constantly seeking time: Nawaz Sharif

Parliamentarians, coalition parties, attorney general react to the NRO hearing on Monday.

Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf appeared before the Supreme Court on Monday in the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) implementation case and sought more time to follow its orders.

Several comments from eminent personalities emerged after the hearing – some in favour of the courts, others in favour of the ruling government.

Against

Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif, talking to the media, said that the government has been constantly seeking time in the case, mocking the court and the country. “The government had promised us that it will restore the judiciary but in fact, it wanted the court of Abdul Hameed Dogar to flourish,” he claimed.

Sharif added that the courts are working according to the law and the Constitution, and if the government had done the same, the situation would not have been the same today.

Justice (retd) Shaiq Usmani also reiterated that the court will stick to its decision and the government should comply with the orders. “The directions are very clear that the government has to write a letter. It is impossible for the court to take back its decision, and the government should make accommodation.”

He stressed that the letter will have to be written, even if the government makes the law minister or the law secretary to carry out the task.

In favour

Parliamentarians, coalition parties, as well as the attorney general of Pakistan, after the hearing, expressed their support for the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).

Attorney General Irfan Qadir said that according to the law, there is a specific way of sacking someone from his post and it cannot be done so by going against the law.

Parliamentarian Muneer Orakzai maintained that he will support the government in electing a third prime minister if the current one is disqualified.

Haji Adeel from coalition party Awami National Party (ANP) said that the government follows the law and the prime minister also appeared before the court when he was summoned. “The court said that he was not indicted. We also asked for six weeks and the court gave us three weeks.”

Federal Minister Amin Fahim also said that the court cannot repeat the same action as in the case of former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani according to the Constitution.

Stressing on the need of negotiations, Interior Minister Rehman Malik maintained that the prime minister will consult his legal team and the government will act according to their advices.

The stance of the PPP for the implementation of the court orders is constitutional, Federal Minister Manzoor Watto maintained.