Pakistan’s ruling party, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), has expressed its lack of faith in two Supreme Court (SC) judges and called for their recusal from the benches hearing their cases. The party made this assertion during a meeting presided over by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. In the meeting, senior PML-N leaders, representatives of the ruling coalition, and the government’s legal team were present.
The Prime Minister also briefed the coalition partners on his plans to write a response to President Arif Alvi’s attempt to write a letter to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) about the dates for polls in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), calling the president’s action “unconstitutional.” PM Shehbaz warned the President not to indulge in such unconstitutional activities in the future.
The premier emphasized that the courts are respected by the government and the ECP is an independent body whose decisions would be implemented by the government regarding elections in Punjab and KP. He also criticized Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) ‘Jail Bharo Tehreek’ (court arrest movement) and claimed that it had fallen apart, and people had rejected the politics of chaos and anarchy. He further stated that people now knew well about the PTI’s U-turns.
Meanwhile, the government’s legal team briefed the meeting about the suo motu notice taken by the SC regarding the holding of polls in Punjab and KP. The premier also held a meeting with the former president and co-chairman of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Asif Ali Zardari, where they discussed the country’s overall political situation.
The PML-N’s call for the recusal of the two SC judges has been met with skepticism by some quarters, who have criticized the party’s attempt to influence the judiciary. The call comes at a time when the PML-N is facing legal challenges on several fronts, including corruption cases against its leaders.
The party’s stance on the ECP’s decision regarding the dates for polls in Punjab and KP has also drawn criticism, with some experts arguing that the President had acted within his constitutional powers. The ECP had earlier announced that polls in Punjab and KP would be held on the same day, contrary to the PML-N’s demands for separate polling days.
The meeting between the Prime Minister and the former president of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Asif Ali Zardari has also raised eyebrows. The two leaders come from opposing political parties and have had a tumultuous relationship in the past. Some experts have speculated that the meeting may have been aimed at forming a political alliance against the PTI government.
The political situation in Pakistan remains tense, with the ruling PTI government facing challenges from opposition parties and civil society groups over alleged electoral rigging and human rights violations. The government’s handling of the economy has also come under scrutiny, with many experts criticizing its policies for exacerbating poverty and unemployment.
In conclusion, the PML-N’s call for the recusal of two SC judges and its criticism of the ECP’s decision regarding the dates for polls in Punjab and KP have drawn criticism from some quarters. The meeting between the Prime Minister and the former president of PPP has also raised questions about the future of opposition politics in Pakistan. As the country prepares for elections in the coming months, the political situation is likely to remain fluid and unpredictable, with many challenges and opportunities ahead.