The political situation in Pakistan has been tense as the ruling coalition has expressed a lack of confidence in a top court panel hearing the election delay issue. On the day following this announcement, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, the vice chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), criticized the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) for their “determination to assault” the Constitution.
During a news conference, Qureshi harshly criticized the PML-N, claiming that the group had chosen to put pressure on the supreme court. He accused the PML-N of attacking the Constitution, saying that “the Constitution will be attacked by [Zulfiqar Ali] Bhutto’s grandson. The Zardaris have destroyed the Bhutto-created constitution.”
Qureshi’s comments were made in response to Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the chairman of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), who stated that the ruling coalition has no confidence in the three-judge Supreme Court panel hearing the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa election delay case, which is being presided over by Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial.
According to Qureshi, the ruling coalition’s statement from the previous day made it clear that negotiations with PTI Chairman Imran Khan will not be held. He also criticized the assembly speaker for becoming an obstruction in the ruling coalition’s path.
Moving on to the Supreme Court hearing, Qureshi stated that a major development will take place on Monday, as the three-member bench headed by the chief justice of Pakistan is supposed to form his opinion on the PTI’s petition regarding the delay in elections. He expressed hope that a good decision will be made and PTI members will play their role in the assemblies.
Qureshi emphasized that the Constitution is clear about conducting elections in 90 days and that it is the responsibility of elected officials to pass laws. He also accused the ruling alliance of wanting an opposition that speaks the language of the administration and of employing every strategy to postpone the elections.
He stated that it is up to the PTI to decide if laws can be passed without bringing about a constitutional amendment. Finally, he declared that the PPP is striking the Constitution now, which it formerly took pride in.
In conclusion, the political situation in Pakistan remains tense, with the ruling coalition expressing a lack of confidence in the top court panel hearing the election delay issue. The PTI’s Shah Mahmood Qureshi has criticized the PML-N and PPP for their “determination to assault” the Constitution and has expressed hope for a good decision in the Supreme Court hearing.
