After the Supreme Court threw the ball into the civilian government’s court – asking it to probe and prosecute those guilty of taking money – the prime minister has vowed that action would be initiated without delay.
Premier Raja Pervaiz Ashraf strongly endorsed the Supreme Court’s ruling in the Asghar Khan case on Friday, vowing that all accused would be prosecuted as per law after transparent investigations.
He also called on them to “apologise to the nation for stealing the elections.”
The premier’s statements came hours after the apex court announced its short order declaring that the 1990 elections were rigged by the then intelligence and army chiefs, during a press conference at the PM House.
Prime Minister Ashraf termed the court’s ruling “significant”, adding that it vindicates the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and shows how democracy had been murdered two decades ago.
He recalled a statement of then party chairman Benazir Bhutto, saying that the “establishment had ‘stolen the election and had run amok’ and they had gotten out of control.” The prime minister said it was unfortunate that the elections were stolen, which amounted to a robbery of the people’s mandate.
“One person was not wronged, a couple of hundred people were not wronged, a few thousands were not wronged, the entire nation was wronged; but today history has spat out the truth,” he declared.
“Those who talk of democracy, of good governance, there are now some questions before them to answer.”
Prime Minister Ashraf said that, as per the short order, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) would initiate inquiries against those accused in the case in a fair and transparent manner, after which action would be taken against them as per the law and Constitution.
He also assured that the findings of the investigations would be made public and every penny of the funds taken from the public to rig the elections would be recovered.
“Investigations will bring to fore all those who all were involved in this conspiracy and the law will look upon all equally. As chief executive, I guarantee that the inquiries will be made in a fair and transparent manner, and that every penny shall be recovered,” he said.
In response to another question, the prime minister said that holding free, fair and transparent elections was the biggest challenge they faced. The PPP would never rig elections since they were themselves a victim of rigged elections, he added.
Premier Ashraf also denied the existence of any political cell in the Presidency.
(Read: In the ‘national interest’)
Published in The Express Tribune, October 20th, 2012.
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Bhutto nationalized Education. Pakistan was destroyed that day.
@AJ: It is also true that this part has installed convicted and criminals as public leaders which is a record in the world history..
What about the Swiss Accounts Dear Prime Minister.. SC is also give order for that???
The Prime Minister should look inwards before making such statements. SC has ordered inquiry against him in the Rental Power decision. Billions of rupees have already been recovered. Do will still need any proof and the level of load shedding. Similarly, for Tauqir Sadiq appointment case against Prime Minister being head of the appointment committee has been held responsible. Does these statements carry any weight apart from politics
SC judgement is the Asghar Khan case needs to be highly praised. Whilst allegations have been levelled in the past, it is for the first time that some sort of a judgement has been pronounced at the highest level of our judiciary. The PM has promised full investigations and follow up accountability of those who are accused in this scandal. However, his words would be mere rhetoric unless some action follows. Moreover, is it not an undeniable fact that the present presidency is also indulging in politics and fully supporting a political party or group. No, he is part of a political party. No, no, he heads that political party. The president announces that after next elections his party will form government in all provinces. Can somebody enlighten us if this is not politics then what is. The present incumbent president is not a symbol of the federation, as he should be, he is merely what he is, the Chairman of a political party, manoeuvring to clinging on to power, and scheming to extend it over to another term. It's all a case of the kettle calling the pot black. Will it ever go beyond name calling, I doubt.
We may disagree with PPP on governance and policy issue, but the fact remains it is most popular party of Pakistan for over 4 decades, the military establishment and the anti people forces have done everything in there power to snatch its mandate. It is quite true that this is only party which has rendered the most sacrifices through out from the hanging of ZAB, to the cold blooded murder of BB. At every step of the way the anti people and anti democratic forces have conspired against it and the evidence is littered around us. The conspiracies were hatched to disfranchise people of Pakistan of the choice to elect its own representatives, if our institutions such as military and judicary were doing it's job the course of our history would have been quite different. Today today's judgement is a step forward, however, it is not enough to keep these forces at bay, remember if look at our history military establishment usually retreat after 11 plus years and come back with more vigor to subvert our constitution and it's partners in crime the elitest politcal class along with judicary legitimize these actions by playing the role of B team. If pakistan needs to change it course, than we have to ensure that the actors and institution swap have adversity impacted our course are identified and punished for there action, two key steps necessary for the future of our country are continuation of democratic process and deredicalization of our society(which is a direct outcome of these anti people policy and the same actors are responsible for this).
It's time for the Dons of Raiwind to give back something. If not for Hudaibiya Mills case, motorway case, sugar mills rebate case, mehran bank case, Daewoo case, yellow taxi fraud, sasti roti fraud, laptop scheme fraud case, etc. then at least for this.
p.s. I don't get how the bakery fiasco resulted in just a "jhagra" case and not an un-bailable warrant for kidnapping and torture. Oh I just realized the accused was from khadm-e-aala's family
The party of the late great Zulfikar Ali Bhutto has always been hijacked by the West, because ZAB pulled the rug out from under their feet. Nowadays, the USA and UK are happiest because all their favorite spanking boys are doing their beckoning. This includes the present day PPP, armed forces, intelligence, and most of all the bureaucrats and the out-of-date politicians. The judgement comes at a most opportune time when elections are supposedly, around the corner and the cacophony of Nawaz Sharif is at its loudest. Albeit Rajajee has not looked inside his own shirt. The army and ISI will not leave their interference, which can be judged by the fact, that three retired army officials who almost made the NLC bankrupt, have been recommissioned into the army and will be tried under military law rather than civilian law. Rightly, so why should it? The army can hand over its retired corrupt officials and let them be tried under civilian law but at the same time keeping an eye on the corrupt and idyllic politicians. Salams
Cases are pending in NAB against PM; why SC is silence
PPP Zindabad.