ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) government on Monday demanded the resignation of Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial for “giving undue facilitation” to PTI Chairman Imran Khan, and warned the top judge of ‘dire consequences’ if Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was disqualified “on the pretext of contempt of court” for refusing to comply with the court ruling regarding Punjab elections on May 14.
The ruling coalition, which staged a sit-in outside the Supreme Court in Red Zone, lashed out at the judiciary, particularly CJP Bandial, during the day-long protest, which was called off by PDM chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman.
The sit-in coincided with the hearing on an ECP petition asking the bench to reconsider its decision on elections in Punjab.
It should be noted that the sit-in was held without the permission of the local administration, despite the imposition of Section 144, which prohibited gatherings of more than four people.
Members of the JUI-F scaled the Red Zone’s gate and made their way outside the Supreme Court. Vehicles equipped with loudspeakers also entered the sensitive area. The PDM leadership’s container was stationed in front of the Supreme Court gate.
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The alliance’s leaders agreed that they would no longer accept ‘engineered verdicts’ and accused the CJP of misconduct.
“Mr CJP You have been engaging in misconduct for the past month and have stated that you will announce the disqualification of the Prime Minister. “The PM has protected the constitution, and if any attempt is made against the government, we will defend the National Assembly and the PM,” PDM chief Fazl told the sit-in participants.
“In this case, you (CJP) will be in trouble and will not be able to save yourself,” he warned.
“We will not tolerate if courts will make engineered decisions. The court had ousted former chief minister Hamza Shehbaz and established Parvez Elahi’s government [in Punjab]. We give you due respect but we will never allow you to disgrace people politicians and parliament,” Maulana Fazl said, adding that all institutions should work within their own domain.
He claimed that parliament and the prime minister controlled the country. “If you want to do politics, get out of here,” Maulana Fazl told the CJP.
The speeches of PDM leaders, including Maryam Nawaz and Maulana Fazlur Rehman, have been censored for their harsh remarks during the live telecast of the speech.
Previously, it was expected that the sit-in led by Maulana Fazlur Rehman would last a few days, but in his speech, the JUI-F chief announced that the protest would end the same day.
However, he warned that if decisions are not made on merit, the government’s supporters will return. “We will return, not you, but we will make decisions,” the PDM chief warned the chief judge.
“You did an excellent job by coming from such a remote area, and now you will return to your homes and come back whenever you are called,” he told demonstrators.
“We want to restore the judiciary’s prestige.” “Its prestige is so high that removing two or three will make no difference,” the PDM chief explained.
According to Maulana Fazl, the CJP stated his intention to rule against the government in the Punjab elections, but after being’scared’ by the massive PDM rally, he changed his mind and adjourned the case until next week.
Imran’s facilitator
Maryam Nawaz, the chief organiser of the ruling PML-N and daughter of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, delivered a fiery speech on the occasion, demanding that the CJP resign for acting as a “facilitator” for Imran Khan.
Referring to the PTI’s violent protests across the country following Imran Khan’s arrest in an alleged corruption case, she stated, “That is why we were against holding elections in the country in the current circumstances because in the presence of fitna (troublemaker), peaceful elections cannot take place,” referring to Imran Khan.
She asked the protesters whether they supported the CJP’s resignation. They answered emphatically, “Yes.” The PML-N’s senior vice president accused judges of playing a “significant role” in Pakistan’s demise.
Ms Nawaz expressed her concerns about the country’s current state and emphasised the importance of strengthening democracy within the framework of the Constitution.
