Political turmoil add to Pakistan’s woes

Thursday, February 26, 2009 at 5:02 am

Pakistan’s main opposition leader Nawaz Sharif was today (Feb 25) barred by the Supreme Court from contesting elections triggering violent protests against the verdict described as a “diktat” by the former premier who accused President Asif Ali Zardari of hatching a conspiracy against him.

The apex court also declared as null and void the election of Sharif’s brother Shahbaz, who is the Chief Minister of Pakistan and within hours of its ruling the President imposed Governor’s rule was imposed in the country’s most populous province for a period two months.

In an oral order, a three-member bench led by Justice Musa K Leghari dismissed all petitions challenging the Lahore High Court’s order disqualifying Nawaz Sharif from contesting elections. It also upheld the bar on Sharif contesting polls.

The court order raised the prospect of fresh political instability in the country as its shaky government struggles against rising terror activities. “This is not a judicial order but a diktat and people know who did this,” Nawaz Sharif told reporters.

Agitated supporters of the Sharifs took to the streets and staged protests in Lahore and many cities and towns of Punjab province including Bhawalpur, Rawalpindi and Gujranwala. They blocked roads and burnt tyres.

The Lahore High Court had earlier ruled that Nawaz Sharif, who was overthrown in a coup by former President Prevez Musharraf, was ineligible to stand in a by-election because of previous criminal convictions.

The court decision is likely to deepen a growing rift between Sharif and the new government headed by President Asif Ali Zardari.

Though the judgement against Sharif would not directly affect a year old PPP-led coalition government, however, the ruling against the younger Sharif could spark off a power struggle in Pakistan’s richest province of Punjab, where the PML-N is in coalition with the PPP.

Accusing Zardari and Supreme Court judges of hatching a conspiracy to oust him from the electoral process, former premier Sharif challenged him to hold a referendum on the apex
court’s judgement.

Talking to media persons, Nawaz said, “Zardari asked us to cut a deal and when we refused he conspired against me with Supreme Court judges.”

“For this judgement we can have referendum and the masses will tell how do they feel about the judgement.” Reacting to the apex court’s decision, Nawaz said, “I am not surprised by this decision of Supreme Court as I predicted it two days back.”

Nawaz Sharif said that “Zardari told my brother Shahbaz, the chief minister of Punjab, let’s do a business deal. We will get a verdict in your favour that will allow both you and Nawaz for contesting elections and you can continue as the Chief Minister.”

Meanwhile, protests erupted across Pakistan after the Supreme Court decision was announced. The largest protests were witnessed in the politically crucial province of Punjab, a stronghold of the PML-N.

Party supporters gathered outside the Governor House in Lahore and shouted slogans against the ruling Pakistan People’s Party. The protesters grappled with police and tore down banners and posters with pictures of PPP leaders, including President Zardari.

PML-N activists gathered in large numbers in different parts of Lahore to stage protests. Shops and markets across the city closed down shortly after news of the court’s verdict reached Lahore.

Protests were also witnessed in many cities and towns of Punjab province, including Bhawalpur, Rawalpindi and Gujranwala, with PML-N activists blocking roads and burning tyres. There were also protests at Abbottabad in North West Frontier Province and Faizabad on the outskirts of Islamabad.

PML-N Chairman Raja Zafrul Haq has issued a call for countrywide protests tomorrow against the court’s verdict, party spokesman Asim Khan said.

(Agencies)

( This post is from an independent writer. The opinions and views expressed herein are those of the author and are not endorsed by APakistanNews.Com.)

Political turmoil add to Pakistan’s woes

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