PML-N Senior Vice President, Maryam Nawaz, expressed her endorsement for trying the suspects involved in the May 9 violence in military courts. She claimed that the civilian judiciary in Pakistan had become a “tool” for the ruling political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). Speaking at a ceremony in Lahore, Maryam acknowledged that while she generally opposed transferring civilian cases to military courts, the current circumstances made it a suitable option.
Maryam criticized the state of the civilian courts, stating that they had become controversial and were being manipulated for political purposes. She specifically referred to the events on May 9, where the PTI’s actions were unprecedented for a political party. The arrest of PTI chairman Imran Khan by Rangers personnel at the Islamabad High Court led to nationwide protests and alleged attacks on military installations, as well as damage to public and private properties.
Recalling the first public gathering of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), Maryam mentioned that her father, former premier Nawaz Sharif, had asked the army chief and head of the intelligence agency to bring back Imran Khan. While her father criticized specific army officers, he did not malign the entire institution or attack any military installations.
Maryam suggested that the May 9 violence could have been prevented if Imran had been convicted in the previous cases against him. She questioned the functioning of the civilian judiciary, noting the issuance of stay orders in PTI-related cases, which hindered legal proceedings. Maryam raised concerns about the credibility of the judiciary in such a situation.
She criticized the prevalent “law of the mother-in-law and favorite” in the country, suggesting that judges were complaining about non-compliance with their orders without considering the nature of their decisions. Maryam recalled the PML-N’s past movement for judicial independence and claimed that former Chief Justice of Pakistan, Asif Saeed Khosa, had pressured her father for a tenure extension, which he had rejected.
Maryam expressed disappointment in the current Chief Justice, Umar Ata Bandial, stating that he had not learned from past mistakes. She further criticized former Chief Justice Saqib Nisar and alleged that his son had engaged in blackmailing PTI ticket candidates. Maryam believed that these individuals would eventually face legal consequences.
Maryam highlighted the oppression faced by the country under the PTI’s rule, pointing out the burning of memorials and pictures of martyrs on May 9, despite their sacrifices for the nation. She emphasized that the martyrs belonged to the entire country, not just the military. Maryam criticized the PTI’s involvement in attacks on military installations and questioned their lack of shame when setting fire to the house of the country’s founder.
Referring to Imran Khan’s demand for evidence of his party’s involvement in the crime, Maryam mentioned the picture of Imran’s nephew carrying a stick with the army’s picture and an audio recording of PTI leader Yasmin Rashid inciting party activists. She criticized the PTI for accusing the government of targeting its women activists, asserting that crimes should be treated equally, regardless of the gender of the perpetrators.
Maryam Nawaz’s endorsement of military trials for the May 9 violence suspects and her criticism of the civilian judiciary for being influenced by the PTI were key highlights of her speech. Her remarks shed light on the ongoing political tensions and the PML-N’s perspective on the PTI’s governance.