PML-N to challenge NA-125 verdict

We believe in the supremacy of law, says Rashid

ISLAMABAD: Forty-eight hours after an election tribunal de-seated railways minister Khawaja Saad Rafique, the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) decided to challenge the verdict in the Supreme Court. The tribunal, which found irregularities in NA-125 (Lahore-VIII) on Monday, declared the 2013 election in the constituency null and void and ordered re-election within 60 days.

“The government has formally decided to challenge the tribunal’s decision,” said Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid at a news conference where he was joined by Planning and Development Minister Ahsan Iqbal.

The decision was made at a consultative session convened by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who is also chief of the ruling party, in the federal capital. Rashid said both political and legal aides of the prime minister had similar views on the matter.

He said Rafique desired to ‘go the court of people’ since the PML-N has done very well in the recent elections for cantonment boards – but most participants of the meeting advised against going for re-elections. “We believe in the supremacy of law and the case will be contested on legal, constitutional and moral basis,” said Rashid.

His cabinet colleague, Ahsan Iqbal, added that the ruling party did not want to set any dangerous precedent by going for re-election or else in future anyone would point out a few irregularities to make the entire election suspect.

He alleged that the PTI opted to destrablise Pakistan’s economy for vested interest by staging meaningless protests and prolonged sit-in in front of the Parliament House, adding that PTI’s politics of sit-ins has caused irreparable loss to the economy.

He said the PTI has lost many seats in by-elections which showed Imran’s party has lost its popularity and integrity among the people.

Separately, Saad Rafique said Imran has already damaged the country’s economic turnaround through his politics of sit-ins and any other political misadventure would cost the nation dearly.

“We will be held responsible for the situation in 2018. We have to deliver and that is why the PML-N government is avoiding conflict with Imran,” he said while speaking on Express News talk-show Kal Tak.

The government is focusing on economic progress and bringing Pakistan out of global isolation, he said, adding, “As for Imran’s rhetoric of poll rigging I can only say Lagay Raho Munna Bhai.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 7^th, 2015.