Amidst talk of confrontation between the military and the judiciary, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has called for complete harmony among all state institutions for the progress and prosperity of the country.
Everyone – including politicians, judges and generals – committed mistakes in the past. It is, however, a highly welcome sign that these mistakes are being realised … and supremacy of the Constitution and law is being acknowledged, said PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif in a statement on Wednesday.
On Monday, army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani said that individual mistakes have been committed by everyone “… [but] let’s not pre-judge anyone, be it a civilian or a military person and extend it, unnecessarily, to undermine respective institutions.” His statement was viewed by analysts as a response to the ongoing criticism of the military due to the wrongs of some former officers.
The PML-N chief, however, said the army is a symbol of the country’s solidarity and defence, and every patriotic Pakistani wants to see Pakistan Army united and strong. Any attempt to a create rift in the army is against the national interest, he added.
At the same time, he said the judiciary is performing the sacred role of providing justice. Lawyers, media and civil society launched a historic struggle for the restoration of the judiciary, in which everyone rendered sacrifices, he added.
Nawaz said that awarding punishment to any person regardless of his position, name or status is the constitutional responsibility of the judiciary. Weakening the judiciary is like turning the country into a jungle, whereas weakening the army is tantamount to weakening national defence, he added.
About Gen Kayani’s statement, Nawaz said the army, under the leadership of its present head, has desisted from any kind of adventurism. Similarly, he added, the judiciary is making historic decisions without any fear.
The central point of both the speeches by the chief justice and the army chief is to ensure predominance of the Constitution and law, which is a matter of great satisfaction and symbolically reflects light and hope for a new emerging Pakistan, the PML-N chief said.
He expressed hope that the media would play its role in bringing the two institutions together to strengthen the democratic process and safeguard Pakistan’s interests.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 8th, 2012.
COMMENTS (19)
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Mistakes? Grave national crimes now become innocent "mistakes"? Mistake was my vote. Mistake I made when I was a teenager, and those mistake harmed me more than others. I hold a public office and make life changing decision for millions knowing my tenure was bogus was my mistake? So now we are ready to forgive all crimes as innocent mistake? Great! We just never quit surprising the world with ever new trick from the magicians hat, do we?
Well...justice should prevail. It will never undermine the stature of any institute but in fact it will be a kind of cleanliness from bad things associated with it. It will provide hope to the people that everyone is equal in the eyes of law and so greater harmony can be established between people and institutions.
I am sure that there is no body more critical of Nawaz Sharif and today first time I am writing his name. But criticism has to be on logic. My objective has always been Pakistan welfare. Positive effort should be appreciated and people should not close them selves in Boxes.
The Only mature politician who smells the confrontation among the institutions and straight away came forward to give a clear message from political line up, where as other politician dont know how to react to these situations...!!!!!!!
@Asad: Yes, you are right. But the real concern is that no one of these have learned a lesson. Its a pity.
Though I never expect any thing from the guy but the statement is good. He has helped his party and Pakistan.
ALAS ! It's too late, If Mian sb would have had these ideas some years before the situation of Man sb and Pakistan would have been quite different. Any how , its never too late.
Judiciary is playing with the nerves of Army and does not let any opportunity go to humiliate them. They have gone to the extent that they supported terrorist to let down the Army. This mind-set will definitely have retributions, which may not be constitutional but without doubt forced.
I think there is no doubt that grieve mistakes are committed by military, judicary, politicians, and Pakistani nations in the past, and there is no doubt that there needs to be institutional balance among the state instition and neither any institution or individual is above the law or superior. The real question is how do we move forward? Is it really the teething problem of our institution? The issue is lack confidence and trust among institutions and also institutional posturing to assert itself. I believe the issue goes beyond institutional balance, it stems from the prevailing narrative of our nation, as a nation if we agree on clear narrative of tolerance, integrity, honesty, accountability and responsibility and abandon the historic and unfounded rethoric and jingoism to establish our superiority, we will be on the road of healing and recovery, only than we can progress in every sphere of our lives. One thing must be understood. I.e. institution and systems are supreme not individuals. The current debate about army as an institution or it's leadership role as individual is futile, we know the act of its leadership we're supported and endorsed by the institution or at minimum an institutional cover up was provided. I fail to understand why critisim of the wrong can impact institutional moral not the action. We are going through interesting times and as nation we must ensure we transition our nation and state into more democratic society with able and accountable institutional balance. It's time for change and it's time to shed our biases and bigoted attitude strengthen our nation and country and the state institution must work with in the ambeits of constitutional boundaries.
'everyone – including politicians, judges and generals – committed mistakes in the past' no those weren't mistakes Mr Sharif those were crimes that you have committed.
"Everyone – includemphasized texting politicians, judges and generals – committed mistakes in the past. It is, however, a highly welcome sign that these mistakes are being realised … and supremacy of the Constitution and law is being acknowledged, said PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif in a statement "....
I believe this is a pragmatic and realistic statement by Mr. Sharif
I made a mistake in 2008 too Mian Sb. I voted for your party candidate.
Nawaz Sharif is absolutely correct. Time is ripe. Mistakes made by everyone including politicians, generals, judges and citizens as well. Time has come to learn from these mistakes, work together in the common national interest of saving Pakistan. It is time for leaders who made mistakes to come out and openly accept and apologize to the nation. Efforts to settle scores, personal vendettas, hunger for power, digging graves is all waste of precious little time Pakistan has before it falls completely into the hands of the extremists and radicals.
NS doesn't know about ABC of harmony, respect of institutions and credibility. I think he should be brought forward to a public forum where he can answer few questions that he has to answer anyway.
Mians Sahib........ZABARDAST!!!
Nawaz Sharif has been left completely exposed by the Asghar Khan case. Best for him to avoid further humiliation and impose 'self-exile' to Saudi Arabia or Dubai or London. He has plenty of money in his 'self-exile' savings account.