PML-N leader Saad Rafique has expressed concern over the Judges’ resignation and said that Pakistan could not afford institutional confrontation.
In his detailed statement released on the social media platform X, the former federal minister took the stand that it would be wrong to view the aforementioned resignations from the angle of political factionalism.
Saad Rafique said that after Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Shams Mehmood Mirza of the Lahore High Court has also resigned, which indicates a new and disturbing trend within the judiciary.
He said that Justice Athar Minallah was his close associate during the Judges Restoration Movement, and he always recognized his integrity and principled stance. However, despite differences in some judicial matters, he maintained respect in his heart.
Saad Rafique praised the performance of Mansoor Ali Shah as Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court and said that he was a capable and honest judge who made decisions under pressure. He also said about Justice Shams Mahmood Mirza that he was a judge with a good reputation, although there was disagreement with his decisions in the Royal Palm case and the Gujranwala Railways Land case.
The PML-N leader termed the allegation of Justice Shams Mehmood Mirza having a relationship with renowned lawyer Salman Akram Raja as a ‘childish act’ and said that such a relationship had never interfered with his work.
According to Saad Rafique, a few Supreme Court judges had resigned in the past, too, but it is not right to link the current resignations with them. He said that these judges were an important pillar for judicial balance, and the vacuum created by their departure is a cause for concern.
He warned that if the series of resignations goes beyond the judiciary and reaches the parliament, it will be dangerous for the constitution, law, and democracy. ‘Not every opponent can be arrested, nor can every dissenter be declared an enemy; a responsible state keeps things cool.’
Describing the growing institutional tension in the country as a threat, he said that nuclear Pakistan cannot afford internal confrontation for long. According to him, it is wise not to rejoice over these resignations but to remove the emerging fault lines.
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