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Throughout the history of Pakistan, there are certain verdicts taken by the Supreme Court that shattered the democracy in the country. For instance, its support to the unlawful and unconstitutional acts of the dictators made its operations dubious. It is a fact that the court has taken decisions against the politicians. Attesting the martial law is among the series of verdicts that damaged its image.
Those days are gone when then unpopular verdicts were passed through the judiciary. Pakistan’s legislative and judiciary are stronger than ever, although a continuous struggle is still required. Nawaz Sharif is on the roads and addressing public gatherings in various parts of the country. He has kept on saying that the court of the people is the leading court. This statement is quite strange keeping in view the contemporary situation. Maryam Nawaz and the entire family are cursing the SC since the decision of Nawaz’s disqualification surfaced.
Our politicians do not seem to accept the sanctity of the courts even at this crucial time. Judiciary ensures proper implementation of the laws and once it starts happening, our politicians censure it terming it against the democracy. The apex court declared Nawaz Sharif disqualified on July 28, 2017, over corruption charges and from that time the ruling party kept on attacking the SC and its judges.
Sometimes unexpected decisions are expected and this was what happened in this case. The ex-premier never thought of the decision of his disqualification, but the apex judges of the apex court evidently stated that Nawaz Sharif and his kith and kin have failed to interpolate the method through which they piled up their resources especially those retained abroad.
Soon after his disqualification, the parliament, the other crucial organ of the state, tried to nullify the decision of the judiciary and made amendment in the Electoral Reforms Bill 2017 empowering the disqualified person to be eligible to preside over his political party. It is clear that one organ of the state is in a tussle with the other.
In fact, this is not the sign of the sustainable democracy (SD) that is long desired by the masses. People are the center of the power but this really does not mean that they can set the yardstick of someone’s getting qualified or disqualified. This is purely the matter of the courts to decide what and who is right and what and who is wrong.
According to 2013 general elections, PML-N bagged around 14.86 million votes; setting aside the claims of opposition parties regarding this number to be forged and rigged, even if all the voters and supporters declare something right, it will not be right unless the courts declare it right and qualified. It is the job of the judiciary to perform its duties well and ensure that the rule of law is properly implemented throughout the country.
In Pakistan, there are close to none instances where the supporters inquired their leaders about any particular matter. They are usually blind followers who know no logic. Only the masses’ love with their leaders for some reasons does not make them or any other public personality qualified, trustworthy, and upright. If he has done something wrong, he is erroneous.
Pakistan is already surrounded by a vicious circle and demands the unity among all the organs of the state. Courts need to work for a hand in glove with the legislature and vice versa. Justice should prevail at any cost. Nawaz Sharif and his family should be given chance to clarify their position – although they have already been given extensive time and ample opportunities to prove the authenticity of their possessions. SC should be free from any pressure. Democracy will be strengthened only at the time when there will be unison and the right will be called right and the wrong the wrong.
The lust for power should be terminated and this principle should be applied to every person holding any government position in the country. Politically, in the name of democracy, there are some families that are destroying the political system and molding its laws in their own favor. The sanctity of the SC should be restored and this would happen when it would be considered as supreme as the parliament – if not more superior to it.
Majority of the people might be wrong and a few jurists might be right. This is what is apparent in this case. By accepting the verdicts of SC whole-heartedly, all the stakeholders should come closer instead of indulging in futile efforts of bashing each other. They indeed should solve the long-standing issues of poverty, terrorism, unemployment, etc.
