Maryam Nawaz claims that the judiciary is a part of Pakistan’s “destruction.”
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senior Vice President Maryam Nawaz addressed a sit-in organised by the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) outside the Supreme Court on Monday. She accused judges, particularly Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial, of playing a significant role in the destruction of Pakistan.
Maryam expressed her concerns regarding the state of the country and stressed the importance of strengthening democracy within the framework of the Constitution. The firebrand leader of PML-N arrived at the protest alongside Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chairman Fazlur Rehman.
Maryam emphasised the role of elected representatives in legislation, stating that it is not the responsibility of judges to stop it. She highlighted the need for a robust democratic process, showing her respect for the Supreme Court and the Constitution. However, she criticised the institution’s tarnished image, attributing the blame to what she termed as “Imrandari”. The PML-N leader also said that she was not advocating to launch protest at the Supreme Court, calling for democracy to be strengthened through the functioning of the institutions.
The PDM sit-in, turned into a protest against the judiciary’s ‘preferential treatment’ of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan. The ruling coalition and a section of the superior judiciary have been at odds since February this year when the top court started suo motu proceedings on delay in the announcement of dates for elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces. A three-judge bench led by CJP Bandial declared the arrest of the PTI chairman from inside the IHC illegal on May 11, intensifying the acrimony.
To read more: CJP Bandial asks PTI, coalition govt to resume dialogues
The protest outside the apex court turned violent, with JUI-F volunteers and workers clashing. A worker of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) set a banner with a photo of the chief justice of Pakistan (CJP) and Imran Khan on fire. The Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Police requested the protesters to remain peaceful, saying that there is a threat of terrorist activity.
Maryam Nawaz addressed the PDM sit-in, highlighting the need for a robust democratic process and emphasising the role of elected representatives in legislation. The sit-in turned into a protest against the judiciary’s preferential treatment of PTI chief Imran Khan, intensifying the acrimony between the ruling coalition and a section of the superior judiciary. The protest outside the apex court turned violent, and the police requested protesters to remain peaceful due to the threat of terrorist activity.
Meanwhile, security around the Supreme Court has been put on high alert, and heavy contingents of Rangers and FC have been deputed. Personnel of the Islamabad police are also on duty outside the court. D-Chowk and its surroundings have been blocked with containers.
A traffic plan for entry into the Red Zone has also been issued in the wake of the possible protest.
The traffic police say two out of the five routes leading to the Red Zone are open. They suggest taking the Marriot Hotel or Serena Chowk route for the Red Zone, as the NADRA Chowk, Margalla Road and D-Chowk have been closed for traffic.