No democracy but worst kind of dictatorship under CJP: Sharif

islamabad — Ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif said on Monday that recent actions by the top judiciary indicate that a regime worse than a martial law has been imposed across Pakistan.

Speaking to reporters inside the accountability court in Islamabad, Sharif claimed: “What is prevalent in the country is not democracy, but the worst kind of dictatorship under [Chief Justice] Saqib Nisar,”, reports Dawn news online.

“What is happening in the country is not less than a ‘judicial martial law’,” said the former prime minister, who returned from London late on Sunday after seeing his ailing wife Kulsoom Nawaz, who has been undergoing cancer treatment there.

The Supreme Court, under its 2018 agenda, is focusing on human rights issues, particularly those relating to the people’s right to quality education and healthcare. However, this course of action is also being seen as an overstepping of boundaries by the apex court, similar to the Iftikhar Chaudhry era.

However, the chief justice has stood by the court’s actions, reiterating that such criticism will not deter him from exercising what he considers is his “constitutional right.”

Sharif asked PTI chief Imran Khan to tell the nation about his vote for “arrow” in the Senate elections. He said the comments of Sirajul Haq about Senate elections were very meaningful.

He said those who were indulging in unprincipled politics, could not bring about change, adding “change comes by following principles.” Only Pakistan Muslim League (N) and its allies transparently voted in the Senate elections, he added.

He said Imran Khan had reprimanded his members of provincial assembly for selling their votes. Imran Khan should reprimand himself as on whose orders he voted in the Senate elections and tell the nation about Chaudhry Sarwar, he added. Nawaz Sharif said the health condition of Kulsoom Nawaz was better and appealed the nation to pray for her.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) Senator Javed Abbasi on Sunday said upcoming general elections would be contested on the basis of performance and PML-N would win next elections due to its five years’ performance. Talking to PTV, he said all major political parties were enjoying power in different provinces and people had been observing their performance and they would hold them accountable about the good governance in their respective provinces.

Senator Abbasi said the country had been facing challenges and it was difficult for any political party to address them as alone, adding all political parties should have to play their due role for resolving all the national issues.

He said charter of economy was the dire need of the country for strengthening national economy and it was collective responsibility of the political parties to sit together for the purpose.

Replying to a query, he said the PML-N had fulfilled all the promises which were made during the general elections of 2013.

He said the government had successfully controlled menace of terrorism, overcome energy shortfall and improved national economy and people had right to decide that who would rule the country.

Javed Abbasi said PML-N had always taken on-board all political parties on all major issues of the country and credit goes to PML-N government for restoration of peace in Karachi.

He said sanctity of vote means to give respect to the people’s mandate and PML-N would continue struggle for it.

To another question, he said the government and the opposition would decide regarding interim government for holding next general elections in the country.

He said opposition could criticize the government policies in positive way but it should not for political point scoring. —

What is happening in the country is not less than a judicial martial law Nawaz Sharif