If CJP will try to touch the govt illegally then the parliament will protect its prime minister: Maulana Fazlur Rehman

ISLAMABAD, May 15 (SABAH): Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) President and Ameer Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) Maulana Fazlur Rehman if Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Umar Ata Bandial will Try to touch the government illegally then the parliament will protect its prime minister. He said that in result of the protective step of the parliament, chief justice will got worried and he will find no place for protection. He said the coalition government would not accept “engineered verdicts”. He said that Pakistan army is protecting the ideology and right foreign policy so we are standing should to shoulder with Pakistan Army. Maulana Fazlur Rehman announced to call off the sit-in staged in front of the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

It comes days after the Islamabad High Court (IHC) granted PTI Chairman Imran Khan relief in multiple cases as Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial had declared Imran Khan’s arrest in the Al-Qadir Trust corruption case “illegal”.

Accusing CJP Bandial of “misconduct of court” during his address at PDM’s sit-in outside Supreme Court of Pakistan, Maulana Fazlur Rehman said CJP Bandial and his “company” were maligning the judiciary. “We want to restore judiciary’s respect,” he added.

It would make no difference if few people sitting inside this building were sacrificed, he said.

He went on to say that if judged by the outcome, it would reflect that the verdicts were engineered. “If you [CJP] and your fellows degrade us, know that we are stronger than you,” he added.

The PDM chief said if they [the judiciary] wanted to do politics, they should come out and do it. “Then, we’ll see your worth,” he added. All security must set aside, he said, they would secure this building [of the SC].

Maulana Fazlur Rehman continued by saying that top judges were conniving to disqualify PM Shehbaz Sharif. “If you do this, you will not find a safe place to hide,” he said. We would protect, he said, our PM [in the parliament].

“You are safeguarding a person who attacks the army and security installations without any reason,” he said. “We’ll come again in large numbers on the constitution avenue,” he added.

“You and your companions sitting on these seats … we won’t allow you to disrespect or abuse the nation or the Parliament,” he said. “Read our history, we have always broken the chains of slavery and we can do the same today,” Fazl said. “I am challenging … CJP sahib, in this one month you have done misconduct of this court.”

Maulana Fazlur Rehman vowed to protect the Supreme Court building with his life, but at the same time contended that he won’t let “even a single judge harm its sanctity”. He recalled that when the PTI had won elections via rigging in 2018, his party protested. “But why didn’t you [the CJP] take a suo motu then?”

Maulana Fazlur Rehman asserted that his party would at no cost accept the “engineered verdicts” given by the courts. He said that all institutions should fulfill their responsibilities “within their boundaries” and warned the judiciary against indulging in politics.

Maulana Fazlur Rehman said we believe in the supremacy of the law and the constitution in the country. He referring the mammoth participation of the people in the demonstration said that it is a testimony that people want the supremacy of the constitution. He said if the apex court ousted the sitting Prime Minister, the entire parliament will come out for his defence.

He said the double standard of justice is not acceptable to the people of Pakistan. He asked the Chief Justice not to support an individual. The PDM Chief said we have huge respect for the apex court and nobody would be allowed to disgrace the building of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. He said let the politicians decide the future of the nation.

Maulana Fazlur Rehman said hundreds of cases being delayed in the courts, and the apex court should focus on disposing off those cases. The Chairman of PDM said all institutions should work within the framework of law and the Constitution.

Strongly condemning the attacks on national assets of the nation, he said unfortunately bail was given to the person who was responsible for this all. He thanked all the political parties who participated in the demonstration. Maulana Fazlur Rehman said the ruling PDM wanted to restore the honour and dignity of the top court. He said the “historic gathering” outside the Supreme Court reflected that the country’s decisions should be made by the people.

He also vowed to protect the Supreme Court building saying no one can dare to cause harm to the top court in the presence of the PDM’s protesters.

Addressing the PDM demonstration, Pakistan People’s Party Sindh President Senator Nisar Ahmed Khuhro said today we are here for upholding rule of law and this is a peaceful protest not violent like PTI.

Senator Sabir Baloch of the PPP said leaders of Pakistan People’s Party were murdered, jailed and faced every kind of victimization, but the party never resorted to violence and not took law into their hands

JUI-F leader and former Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Akram Khan Durrani said people gathered here today to struggle for supremacy of law. He said there is representation of all political parties and all provinces in today’s protest.

Mian Iftikhar Hussain of Awami National Party said the Supreme Court can only interpret the Constitution and not re-write it to favor any individual.

He said we respect the courts, but the courts should also uphold the supremacy of parliament.

Aftab Sherpao of Qaumi Watan Party said supremacy of law is the sole purpose of our gathering here today. He said no one will be allowed to violate the law and the Constitution. He vowed to continue struggle for rule of law. 

Balochistan National Party leader and former Chief Minister Balochistan, Sardar Muhammad Akhtar Jan Mengal said everyone should be equal in the eyes of law. He lamented that there is targeted justice as courts never showed exigency when the matter was of hundreds of missing Baloch persons.

In his speech, Jamiat Ulama-e-Pakistan leader Owais Noorani strongly criticized the conduct of former Chief Justice Saqib Nisar and his role as a facilitator of Imran Khan. He said the only available option for country’s progress is the rule of law.

He asked the PTI followers to not waste time with the so-called narrative of Imran Khan as he has been struggling to waste the time of the nation. He said our army is our pride and he we should respect them.