In a powerful critique of the recent Supreme Court decision that awarded the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) its due share of reserved seats for women and minorities in parliament, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz urged the judiciary to allow the country to progress.
During an event in Lahore, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz called on the Supreme Court judges to permit Pakistan to move forward without hindrance.
She accused the judiciary of manipulating the constitution to favor a particular political figure. “Who are these individuals who resist the nation’s progress and alter the Constitution?” she questioned.
The Supreme Court’s ruling on July 12 marked a significant legal triumph for the PTI, affirming the party’s eligibility for the allocation of reserved seats.
This verdict not only facilitates PTI’s re-entry into the parliament, following their expulsion in the February 8 elections due to the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) December 2023 ruling but also exerts considerable pressure on the coalition alliance by altering the National Assembly’s composition.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz expressed her disapproval, stating that the Supreme Court granted PTI relief it had not even sought.
She highlighted that the judges provided PTI with 15 days to submit affidavits affirming their affiliation with the party, despite previously submitted documents indicating allegiance to another party.
“This will not be a simple task for you. This government is committed to completing its five-year tenure. Any attempts to create political instability will be met with strong resistance,” warned the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader.
Maryam Nawaz emphasized that judicial decisions should be grounded in the Constitution rather than individual conscience.
She pointed out that the person they were attempting to reintegrate into politics was a national criminal, whose sources of funding and political origins were dubious.
The PML-N leader criticized a small group of individuals for issuing orders that obstructed the nation’s development.
She underscored that the law and constitution prohibit floor crossing, yet the Supreme Court’s ruling seemed to condone it.
In her concluding remarks, Maryam Nawaz reaffirmed her commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that the government remains steadfast in its mission to lead Pakistan towards progress and stability.
