ISLAMABAD: Speaking on ABN News’ Debate @ 8, Pakistan Muslim League Noon (PML-N) chief Ijazul Haq said that differences of opinion are a natural process in a democracy, but turning political opposition into hostility and pinning the opposition against a wall can prove dangerous for the stability of the country.
The beauty of a democratic system is that, despite political differences, the doors of dialogue remain open. Protests and differences have always occurred in parliament, but these incidents should be considered part of the democratic system.
He also questioned the performance of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) as an opposition. According to him, problems are not solved by just protesting on the streets or creating a ruckus in parliament.
The role of an effective opposition is not just opposition but also meaningful suggestions and playing an institutional role.
Speaking on judicial incompetence, Ijazul Haq said that now decisions are coming from lower courts, which were previously at the level of the Supreme Court.
According to him, the process of disqualifying any politician from the court is very serious, and if there is any haste or political impression in it, it undermines the public’s faith in the process of justice.
Citing the Jamshed Dasti case, he said that the granting of interim relief is an argument that the right to legal appeal is intact, and the sentence remains in force until a stay order is issued by the higher court.
Ijazul Haq warned that if decisions are imposed without completing the judicial process, it will set a dangerous precedent that will harm not only an individual or a party but the entire democratic system. He said that legal relief is possible even after the election schedule, as was observed in the Dasti case.
He said that giving full opportunity to legal avenues is a basic principle of democracy, and making any candidate or politician a victim of haste is not only against the spirit of justice but also raises questions about the electoral process.
