While inviting legal fraternity to join ‘real freedom movement’ on Thursday the former prime minister and Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan expressed grave concern over financial decisions of the incumbent government saying the country’s sovereignty has been compromised.
He said while addressing lawyers of capital as recently Islamabad High Court Bar Association has invited Imran Khan to speak on the country’s political, economic and security situation. Imran Khan informed that Pakistan could face the Sri Lanka-like situation if its affairs continued to be run the same way as they were being run at present saying “the rulers may steer the country to a point where we have to compromise on our sovereignty,”.
Coalition government did not bother about hardship and miseries of people, which was evident from the alarming increase in petroleum products prices in less than a month that would increase the prices of daily-use items, making the life of people hell, Imran Khan.
Citing the recent hike in petroleum prices Khan alleged that the coalition government did not bother about hardship and miseries of people, which was evident from the alarming increase in petroleum products prices in less than a month that would increase the prices of daily-use items, making the life of people hell. He called upon people from across Pakistan to come out of their houses on Sunday late in the evening, at 9pm, and stage strong demonstrations against inflation and the unprecedented increase in petrol prices in their cities and towns.
He showed concern that cases against public office holders would be closed after the recent amendments to the accountability’s law. He further pointed out that deaths have been reported of people linked to cases against PML-N senior leaders since the new government was formed. Criticizing the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) the Commission failed to notifying lawmakers on vacant seats of Punjab Assembly after the ECP de-seated 25 members of the provincial assembly over defection.
Chairman PTI said despite being a key ally of the United States, India was buying cheaper oil from Russia, raising a question Khan said if India was allowed to purchase oil from Russia, as to why Pakistan could not do the same.
Terming his ouster as a result of foreign conspiracy Imran Khan said that a day before the then-opposition filed the no-confidence in the National Assembly, US Undersecretary of State for South Asia Donald Lu met Pakistan’s envoy in Washington.
PTI’s Chairman Imran Khan said after coming to know about what he considers a foreign conspiracy against his government, he told the ‘neutrals’ that it was not the time to stay ‘neutral’. He said he had explained to the ‘neutrals’ to play their role to stop the conspiracy from taking place. He sent Shaukat Tarin to explain to them that it was not the time to stay neutral, or it would have dangerous implications for the country’s economy. Imran emphasised that all institutions should play their role to protect the rule of law and democracy, which were in danger at the moment.
He was of the view that the US government was displeased by his visit to Russia and objections were being raised by it adding at that time the US embassy had been holding meetings with the PTI dissident lawmakers and opposition leaders. “I had not visited Russia for any personal interest, but for the country’s benefits,”, Khan said.
He said it was very convenient for him to not agree to visit Russia, but he stood against the slavery. He reiterated, “Only free and fair elections can save the country from drowning,”.
The former premier feared that Pakistan was fast heading towards the Sri Lanka-like crisis situation. He claimed that the current ruling alliance had no plan to deal with the situation as the market have no trust to the present government. He alleged the outsiders were not ready to give them financial support after they came to know they had been imposed on the country and had no public support. He warned that if the government kept going that way, Pakistan would be weakened to such an extent that when a bailout package would be given to it, they would impose conditions which would compromise the country’s sovereignty and independence. Coming down hard on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, he said that his performance had been exposed in a short span of time, because his performance as the chief minister Punjab was just on papers in the form of advertisements.
On the occasion, President IHCBA Shoaib Shaheen said Imran Khan struggled for replication of Riyasat-i-Madina in Pakistan and fight for Muslims before international fora while gave strong stance over Islamophobia in United Nations. Shoaib Shaheen further said that under the aegis of Imran Khan’s visionary leadership, social development projects were initiated whereas public have been sensitized over corrupt practices and corruption as earlier deep pocketed person were known to invest for ill-gotten money. He maintained that during Imran Khan government it was realized that everyone is equal before law saying elite was not allowed to use the law for their advantage. Lauding the Imran Khan’ regime, Shaheen said being Prime Minister of Pakistan Khan has delivered unprecedently across the board without fear and favor. Shaheen further expressed that stance of Khan over Islamophobia in United Nations is appreciative saying it was the Imran Khan government which struggled to ensure delivery for all as his government made it possible that there should no political interference in institutions.
“Independence of Bars is independence of judiciary”, Shoaib Shaheen
He said during Imran Khan’s era, projects for marginalized segment of society as Langer Khanas and Panagahs for shelter less subjects of the state were established, adding billion trees project of Imran Khan would have not only long-term environmental affect but for posterity as well. Shaheen recalled saying people of Pakistan staged protests around the country on April 9 this year to show solidarity with Imran Khan.
“Independence of Bars is independence of judiciary”, Shaheen reiterated there would be no compromise on supremacy of constitution and rule of law. Pointing out much awaited demand of legal fraternity for rotation of civil judges and Islamabad High Court justices, Shaheen urged for fulfilment of the demand saying the act will strengthen the basic cause of administration of justice to provide remedy to litigants amid dispelling impression of discrimination and nepotism in Capital judiciary.
President IHCBA emphasized that there is dire need for financial stability in Pakistan which is subject to political stability in the country saying common man in the society is facing the worst financial burden in the history. He categorically expressed that lawyers cannot be termed terrorists and sought implementation of ‘Lawyers Protection Act’ in letter and spirit whereas he underscored the importance of establishing ‘Lawyer Academy’ like Judicial Academy in Islamabad for new comers. He said the academy will serve to aspirants for global standard higher education in Pakistan without injecting money and travelling abroad.
President Shaheen pointed out that Judicial complex construction project in Islamabad was initiated during era of Imran Khan which is nearing to finishing touch, however, he expressed concern that after no-confidence move against Imran Khan, another project for lawyers in Islamabad is in doldrum in the present regime.
President IHCBA Shoaib Shaheen made it clear that there would be no compromise upon supremacy of the Constitution and rule of law saying IHCBA took initiative to invoke the jurisdiction of top court when present rulers were trespassing houses of PTI leadership. Shaheen expressed that ahead of PTI’s long march, in pursuance of the present government directives police have conducted raid on house of Allama Iqbal’s daughter-in-law former Justice Nasira Iqbal. He thanked the top court that admitted the IHCBA plea and issued directives to ensure fundamental rights of the protestors. Finally, he said that Imran Khan is the most popular leader in Pakistan whose vision needs to be continued for betterment of for all in the country.
Earlier, Member Islamabad Bar Council (IBC) Aleem Abbasi admitted that Imran Khan is the nationalist who enjoys characteristic of being not corrupt leader. He said that the IBC is representing 7000 lawyers saying some of the members were of the opinion that there should be boycott of Imran Khan speech. However, he said that political leader of any fold should be given chance to share his views at the Bar platform. He asked Imran Khan to enlighten the Islamabad legal fraternity whether PTI’s deputy speaker and speaker of the National Assembly were not unconstitutional on the day of no-confidence move against Khan and have grave impact over the prevailing economic situation.
However, Member Pakistan Bar Council Ishtiaq Ahmed Chaudhry expressed saying during his tenure of government Imran Khan took unprecedented steps for the welfare of lawyers. He said elected government are toppled and then inflation takes place like present government continuously dropping petrol bomb.
