[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text dp_text_size=”size-4″]Former Prime Minister and PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif slammed the Supreme Court’s verdict in the Punjab poll delay case on Tuesday, calling for a reference to the Supreme Judicial Council against three top court judges, including the Chief Justice of Pakistan (SJC).
He made the remarks during a press conference in London, where he has been living in self-imposed exile on medical grounds since November 2019.
میں سمجھتا ہوں کہ ان ججز کے خلاف سپریم جوڈیشل کونسل میں ریفرنس دائر کیا جانا چاہیے آج کا فیصلہ انہی کے خلاف چارج شیٹ کا درجہ رکھتا ہے.پنجاب حکومت عمران خان کے سپرد کرنے کیلیے پہلے ایم پی ایز کو ووٹ دینے سے روکا پھر انہیں نااہل بھی کیا.قائد مسلم لیگ ن نوازشریف pic.twitter.com/iCbyDd8U18
— PMLN (@pmln_org) April 4, 2023
His reaction follows the Supreme Court’s three-member bench’s continuation of the case and nullification of the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) decision to postpone polls in Punjab earlier today, despite the ruling PDM’s demand for a full court to hear the case.
Also Read: ECP’s polls delaying decision ‘unconstitutional’: SC
The verdict on the Pakistan Tehreek-e-(PTI) Insaf’s petition challenging the ECP’s decision to postpone Punjab Assembly elections until October was announced by a three-member bench led by Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial and comprising Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Munib Akhtar.
The Supreme Court declared that general elections to the Punjab Assembly would be held on May 14 after ruling that the ECP’s decision was “unconstitutional.”
“A reference should be filed in the Supreme Judicial Council against these three judges as today’s judgement is a charge sheet against them,” the ex-PM remarked.
Referring to his disqualification by the top court in 2016, Nawaz said he was ousted from power in a matter of seconds, “whereas all-out efforts are being made to bring [PTI chief] Imran Khan back into power”.
“By paralysing the state, everything has been destroyed in the love of a ladla (darling) Imran Khan, which is very unfortunate,” he added.
Also Read: Elections in Punjab to held on May 14 as SC declares ECP’s decision unconstitutional
The PML-N chief said while their every action was termed as unconstitutional, Constitution was “violated” to hand over Punjab government to Imran-led PTI by preventing dissenting lawmakers from casting ballot against the party line by the Supreme Court.
“Today, no one is ashamed of their decisions.”
Apparently referring to the chief justice’s remarks, Nawaz stated, “It has been repeatedly stated that we will protect the judges… “How will you protect the institution if you protect corrupt judges like Mazahar Naqvi?”
فُل کورٹ کیوں نہیں بنائی تین ججز پر ہی اصرار کیوں؟ فل کورٹ جس میں سب کا اعتماد تھا اسے بنانے میں کیا آمرمانع تھا یہ مجھے سمجھ نہیں آتی جب دال میں کالا ہو تب یہ باتیں سامنے آتی ہیں.قائد مسلم لیگ ن نوازشریف pic.twitter.com/yaAvevJU87
— PMLN (@pmln_org) April 4, 2023
He also urged the nation to protest the verdict issued by the Supreme Court’s three-member panel. “Wake up, these people are destroying Pakistan; fight back.”
In response to a question about the CJP’s refusal to form a full court in the polls delay case, the deposed premier stated that such decisions were made only when there was something fishy.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
