ISLAMABAD, Sept 15: Former interior minister Maj-Gen (retd) Naseerulalh Babar has expressed grave concern over the sentence of six months in jail handed down by the election tribunal of the Sindh High Court to advocate Anwar Yousuzai for contempt of court.

Advocate Anwer Yousufzai raised “shame, shame” slogans in the election tribunal on Friday when the judge dismissed the appeals of PPP Chairperson Benazir Bhutto against the rejection of her nomination papers by the returning officers of the two constituencies in Larkana and also the reserved seats for women.

In a statement, issued here on Sunday, Mr Babar said that it was most unfortunate that the rulers had taken their political battle to the judiciary leading to the judiciary’s politicization and threatening the erosion of its respect and authority, the twin hall marks of an independent and upright judiciary as a guarantor of human rights and liberties.

He remarked that the sentence awarded to advocate Yousufzai was harsh and disproportionate and failed to take into account the reality of the regime having politicized the judiciary. He said the sentence needed to be reviewed.

Mr Babar said the PPP respected judges and believed that democracy, constitution and the rule of law depended on a vibrant and assertive judiciary, which commanded respect of all irrespective of political dispensation.—PPI