PESHAWAR: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) senior leader and Secretary General of the Tehreek Tahafuz-i-Aeen-i-Pakistan, Asad Qaiser, has said that if the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) wishes to sustain its public-oriented politics, it must reject the entire package of the 27th Constitutional Amendment without exception.
He said that the services of PPP’s founder, the late Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, and former prime minister Benazir Bhutto for democracy remain a distinguished chapter in the country’s history, and that the party’s role in the framing of the 1973 Constitution was of fundamental importance. He said that despite this legacy, PPP seems to be in a mood of political compromise, willing to accept some amendments and reject others. He said that if PPP fully turns down the 27th Amendment, it would mark its genuine return to popular politics.
Expressing concern over the recent conduct of the judiciary, the PTI leader said that the attitude of the courts had become deeply disappointing. He said that when cases are moved or delayed on political grounds or under administrative pressure, it undermines the credibility of the judiciary. He said that if a larger bench delivers a verdict and it is not implemented, it raises serious questions over the justice system. He said that justice had practically vanished from the country and the rule of law no longer prevailed. He further said that it is essential for the judiciary to rise to its primary duty the delivery of justice and protection of citizens’ rights۔ Referring to the movement led by former chief justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, Mr Asad Qaiser said that the nation had then stood firmly with the judiciary, and would do so again if it acts to uphold the supremacy of the Constitution and the law.
Mr Asad Qaiser said that the PTI’s contacts with opposition parties were ongoing. “Our first meeting was with Maulana Fazlur Rehman, in which we thanked him for his support in the appointment of the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly,” he said. “The Maulana hosted a dinner where detailed political discussions took place, and it was agreed that all opposition parties would hold internal consultations before formulating a joint strategy.”
Paying tribute to Sahibzada Hamid Raza, the PTI leader said his services for democracy were commendable. He regretted that “unjust cases” had been filed against him, expressing the hope that they would soon be heard and that justice would prevail.
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