Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senior Vice President Maryam Nawaz on Monday fired a broadside on some judges of the apex court for favouring Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan in high-profile cases.
Addressing Pakistan Democratic Movement protesters outside the apex court, she also accused the apex court of imposing “judicial martial law” in the country.
“Today, when the army is standing with the democracy and Constitution of Pakistan … the fifth martial law in Pakistan … judicial martial law has been imposed from this building,” she said amid slogans from the PDM workers.
She attributed the nation’s most tumultuous times to the implementation of the doctrine of necessity, originating from the top court. Elected prime ministers have been unceremoniously removed from power, with some even meeting their unfortunate demise, all while these decisions were unequivocally given by the courts.
“This building (Supreme Court) before us, it was supposed to be a means of delivering justice to the oppressed, bringing the powerful under the law and strengthening democracy. This building should have been a means of strengthening parliament,” the PML-N leader said, adding the sanctity of elected prime ministers should be maintained by the court so that democracy could be flourished.
“But the facilitators […] sitting in this building are murdering justice. We respect judges, the judiciary and the law,” she continued.
“Today, we will not talk about the judges that abide by the law and Constitution. If we will talk about anyone today, it will be Imran’s facilitators,” she remarked.
She said a large number of people gathered outside this building today and “I ask Umar Ata Bandial sahib whether you are happy to see a sea of people.”
“Come, Umar Ata Bandial sahib, have a look at the real nation of Pakistan. They are here to ask you a question,” she added.
Maryam said some verdicts of judges were responsible for destruction of the country. “The country’s progress and destruction linked to this building. The decisions of the judiciary are responsible for the destruction of the country,” she added.
She expressed her concerns regarding the state of the country and emphasised the importance of strengthening democracy within the framework of the Constitution.
Marryam expressed her belief that the responsibility for legislation should rest firmly with the Parliament, firmly asserting, “It is not the judges’ duty to impede it.” Through this statement, she underscored the importance of elected representatives in upholding a robust democratic process.
While demonstrating utmost respect for both the Supreme Court and the Constitution, the PML-N leader voiced her criticism of the institution’s tarnished reputation, attributing this negative perception to what she referred to as “Imrandari.” By using this term, she drew attention to her disappointment with the current state of affairs and firmly stated that it was not a result of integrity (“Imandari”), but rather a consequence of what she perceived as excessive political influence (“Imrandari”).
Maryam also expressed her reluctance to protest at the Supreme Court, advocating for democracy to be strengthened through the proper functioning of the institution. She emphasised the importance of preserving the integrity of the building and called for the restoration of democratic values.
The protest outside the apex court was turned into a sit-in earlier today and according to reports, the management committee started construction of tents and washrooms in the venue.
The ruling alliance announced staging a sit-in right outside the top court building to protest against what it describes as the judiciary’s preferential treatment of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan.
