PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry on Monday reprimanded the erstwhile opposition for challenging the ruling of the National Assembly deputy speaker pertaining to the rejection of the no-confidence motion seeking PM Imran's ouster, alleging that the PPP and PML-N had violated the Constitution and partook in horse-trading.
“The PPP and the PML-N, the same parties that violated the Constitution and bribed lawmakes, should have a modicum of shame before talking about it. Is Article 63 (A) not part of the Constitution,” Fawad said while talking to reporters outside the Supreme Court in Islamabad.
In a rather dramatic Sunday, the deputy speaker decided against conducting the no-trust vote by invoking Article 5, while reading out a pre-written statement. This was following by PM Imran, in an address broadcast live, stating that he had asked the president to dissolve the NA.
The SC’s larger bench will today hear the suo motu case on the political crisis including the speaker's invocation of Article 5 that deals with treason. In a written order, CJP Umar Ata Bandial, in tandem with his fellow judges, expressed concerns over the prevailing political turmoil. The chief justice observed that public order must be maintained and no state functionary shall take any extra-constitutional step in the prevailing political situation.
Shehbaz lambastes PM for imposing ‘civilian martial law’
The PTI leader alleged that the opposition violated Article 63 (A) of the Constitution and got the 22 lawmakers into their fold. It must be mentioned here that this switching of allegiance gave the opposition the required numbers to oust the prime minister through a process outlined in the Constitution.
“Is horse-trading a part of the Constitution,” he said, “How can you have the audacity to challenge the ruling of the NA deputy speaker.”
Fawad alleged that the erstwhile opposition tried to influence the apex court by making demands for forming a full-court bench to hear the suo motu case. Earlier, the united opposition in a press conference urged the court to form a full-court bench to hear the case while expressing hope the judiciary would provide justice unlike in the past when it failed to do so.
Fawad further claimed that the PML-N was criticising the Supreme Court and warned against the opposition taking to the streets. He further said they would implement the SC decision, however, it rejected the idea of influencing courts. “People are ready for elections; no party can run away from this. Wherever a political crisis comes in any country, the public has the ultimate right to decide so why are you running away from the election.”
Taking a jibe at the political parties' criticism, he said that the multi-party alliance did not attend the behind the scenes briefings and the parliamentary committee on security meeting on the foreign conspiracy.
“We are not here to award a treachery certificate. But the way you have conducted the political procedure is wrong,” he said, adding that the government has so far not completely shared the details of the foreign cable that the premier has claimed unmasks a conspiracy to de-seat him.
SC bench to hear suo motu case on political crisis today
Meanwhile, Fawad also warned the political parties against going public about the letter. “It’s up to Shehbaz Sharif if he does not become part of the selection for interim set-up. We have sent two names for the interim government.”
Former PM’s aide on political communication Shahbaz Gill asked the PPP leadership to speak about the latter’s apparent meeting with US officials. “We will request the court to find out how and why foreign officials met with the PTI dissidents.”
PTI leader Faisal Javed said the party would start a campaign, which would be led by PM Imran.
Umar calls for an early election, says ‘we are right’
Talking to reporters in Islamabad, PTI leader Asad Umar said the outgoing government’s decision to dissolve the government and call for early elections “was right”. He alleged that the opposition parties had violated the Constitution by offering bribes.
He was of the view that a fresh election was the “only solution” amid the prevailing situation. Umar expressed hope that the SC would give a decision that would not create chaos in the country.
“Today’s Constitutional position is NA stands dissolved and we are not lawmakers,” he said while responding to a query over Ayaz Sadiq’s move to preside over the NA session.
