Country cannot afford dictatorship: Khursheed

E-Paper | October 13, 2026

Country cannot afford dictatorship: Khursheed

The Newspaper's Staff Reporter Published April 21, 2014

LAHORE: Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly Syed Khursheed Shah has said the country cannot afford a dictatorship and that the judiciary will not endorse any ‘misadventure’.

“The current situation in the country does not allow any dictatorship and the judiciary will also not endorse any misadventure,” Mr Shah said while talking to journalists at the airport here on Sunday.

Referring to strong reaction from the army on some speeches made recently in the parliament, the PPP leader said “minor mistakes” made by legislators should be tolerated and overlooked.

When asked whether the PPP supported the PML-N government or the army in the “tiff between the two”, Mr Shah said his party was “with the masses”.

Answering a question, he said that at a recent meeting with the prime minister, a PPP delegation led by former president Asif Ali Zardari advised him that the Protection of Pakistan Bill was not a good piece of legislation. “Mr Zardari told Mr [Nawaz] Sharif that the proposed law could even be used against the PML-N leaders.”

Mr Shah said the prime minister was also requested to take the opposition into confidence before moving the bill.

The PPP tabled 139 bills after consultation with the opposition during its five-year tenure and about 98 per cent of them were adopted with consensus.

“We asked the ruling party to adopt the same procedure and take inputs from opposition benches.”

He said he did not think that talks between the government and the Taliban could continue after the militants’ decision to end ceasefire.

Referring to retired Gen Pervez Musharraf’s presence in Karachi, Mr Shah said the former army chief was probably “being gradually whisked out of the country”. The general’s arrival in Karachi could be the “first step in that direction”.

He expressed fears that the Sindh government would be held responsible if the former military ruler did indeed go out of the country.

Mr Shah said that in a letter the Punjab chief minister had assured Bilawal Bhutto Zardari of “fool-proof security” during his stay in Lahore.

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Pragmatist

Apr 21, 2014 07:10am

Army does not need any permission or endorsement from Syed Khursheed Shah or the Pakistani courts when they act. They will do what needs to be done at appropriate time.

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Syed

Apr 21, 2014 07:14am

Well as a matter of fact the country cannot afford to have you guys in offices anymore. Have some mercy on us.

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Syed

Apr 21, 2014 07:32am

Mr Shah you can support Civilian Democratic Dictatorship even if they destroy the whole country. For God sake do not consider the masses as dumb talk something sensible, if the civilian dictator ship is not delivering for what they have been mandated then we do not want such civilian democratic system. So far in Pakistan it

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Zameer

Apr 21, 2014 08:08am

True because then another general will come to save Pakistan before running away to hide abroad after proclaiming a new NRO to let all corrupt politicians go free.

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Mashiqkhan

Apr 21, 2014 08:10am

Country cannot afford civilian dictatorship too. Engineered Democracy is damaging voters' confidence. It's time to verify thumb impressions.

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El Cid

Apr 21, 2014 08:10am

*Referring to strong reaction from the army on some speeches made recently in the parliament,* No one in the military dare look in anger at a democratically elected parliament or the PM. A 'strong reaction' should result in immediate dismissal of all concerned by the PM. Immediate action. Immediate termination. No questions asked. Do it now. The Supreme Court must take immediate 'Suo Motu' too and terminate ALL dictator wannabes without delay. Start with the top. Pakistan can't afford another catastrophic takeover.

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Amjad Wyne

Apr 21, 2014 08:23am

What exactly is he talking about? Not sure if this head has a brain in it.

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IBN-E-ASHFAQUE

Apr 21, 2014 08:38am

Dictatorship either under the garb of democracy or in khakhi is harmful for Pakistan. Currently we are having a democratic one which will be further strengthened with the PPO ordinance.

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Em Moosa

Apr 21, 2014 08:46am

What you call it something else then dictatorship. PPP is dreaming. This country needs revolution.

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Syed Ahmed

Apr 21, 2014 08:46am

Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly, Syed Khursheed Shah, is of the view that the current situation in the country does not allow any dictatorship and the judiciary will also not endorse any misadventure. He is sadly mistaken, the many people and the current situation certainly demands that the armed forces move in for cleansing the filth from the country, including the opportunists and the highly corrupt politicians sitting in the parliament.

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Javed

Apr 21, 2014 08:47am

But can afford Corruption

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Em Moosa

Apr 21, 2014 08:48am

Only his luck has brought him such a position of opposition leader otherwise he is just brainless.

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Shahzad

Apr 21, 2014 09:22am

What was the need to give this statement? PPP failed in their tenure and just want to live through these outdated narratives.

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I. Ahmed

Apr 21, 2014 09:27am

Country can afford Takht-e-Lahore, Darbar-e-Larkana, pathetic governance in the name of martyrs, colossal financial mismanagement in the name of democracy, religious extremism, surrendering to murderers and terrorist, bungling in rental power plants, money transfer to swiss accounts, generational politics, feudal and tribal rule, politics of revenge, mistrial and phony judiciary but no it cannot accept dictatorship. Does Khursheed Shah knows what defines the last 6 years of democracy in Pakistan? It is summed up in two words "political dictatorship". One where people of Pakistan who vote are hostage to wills and whims of incompetent political leaders? The country seems to have suffered more from political misadventures than military ones.

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Shahzad

Apr 21, 2014 09:30am

@El Cid: Disimissal of everyone? Such thinking is absurd. You talk of democracy and contradictingly think like dictators. Permanent government officers can't be sent packing, overnight, not even peons.

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M.A.Shah

Apr 21, 2014 09:32am

And what do you think was your government and the present government? You call this democracy? One thing be very clear, this political family business and the corrupt civilian political mafia is the root cause of the suffering of the people of Pakistan and they must be up-rooted and completely wiped out. New faces on MERITS through fair and free elections must be handed the reins of power and these brainless thugs including the present PM elected through 'punctured' election must be gotten rid off and the loot they have amassed must be confiscated. There lies bright future of Pakistan.

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Mujtaba

Apr 21, 2014 09:36am

Pakistan also cannot afford People like Zardari, who damaged Pakistan and it's institutions a lot!!!

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atif

Apr 21, 2014 10:05am

@El Cid: well, for all this, moral courage is required. that comes only if one is competent and honest, both these r tangential to what is there in our parliament. very sad state of affairs

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khanm

Apr 21, 2014 10:07am

what is the difference between democracy and dictatorship in Pakistan...The difference between a democracy and a dictatorship is that in a democracy you vote first and take orders later; in a dictatorship you don't have to waste your time voting. The best weapon of a dictatorship is secrecy, but the best weapon of a democracy should be the weapon of openness. which will never be the case...we need to change our status quo and we must be the change we wish to see in Pakistan.

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Danish

Apr 21, 2014 10:13am

The PPP tabled 139 bills after consultation with the opposition during its five-year tenure and about 98 per cent of them were adopted with consensus. However, nation went from bad to worse and there had been tremendous increase witnessed in the wealth of our politicians. What nation would do........... Eat 139 bills?

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Awais

Apr 21, 2014 10:18am

the ppl right to choose is d only way 2 change d society. It's a long road but wid Democracy only, we can say no 4 corruption.

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Nuss

Apr 21, 2014 10:27am

@Pragmatist: We need military to take over the country without any further delays and put all these so call democratic culprits behind bars. Seized their all illegal gain wealth and their supporters wealth also. Control irresponsible media out lets such as Geo & Jung, etc.

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munir

Apr 21, 2014 10:32am

Country has not much choice... 1. Lying corrupt politicians 2. Military dictators to stop lying corrupt politicians

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Youth

Apr 21, 2014 10:32am

As and when dictatorship descended on Pakistan it directly resulted from political misadventure by the civilian government, go back in history and it could be verified easily. The only way to avoid dictatorship in Pakistan is to honestly deliver that was promised at the time of elections, unless it is done so nothing can be taken as granted.

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AKA

Apr 21, 2014 10:35am

Currently there is a very tricky situation developing in Pakistan. The mess started by PMLN govt by indicting Gen Musharaf under Article 6 is now expanding dangerously. This recent Hamid Mir's incident and his family remarks plus a TV Channel's atitude is making things even more worse. The need of the hour is for all to remain within constitutional limits and Government to be brave and do measures against the channel and the family which has defamed Pakistan.

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Kashif

Apr 21, 2014 11:07am

Democracy ate 8 trillion rupees from 2007 to 2013. Whereas dictatorship brought multitudes of foreign direct investment (FDI) and higher growth rates with about 1/20th corruption (may be). So Mr. Moustache Shah, Pakistan can certainly afford dictatorship.

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Apr 21, 2014 11:13am

Army rule again - no way. We need good civilian elected governments, so public needs to stop voting for and electing already tried and tested PPP, PML-N etc. Every one needs and must use his/her vote wisely. We will see how PTI performs in KPK

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ALLY HASSAN ALI

Apr 21, 2014 12:28pm

Very True!! Country cannot afford dictatorship, but can afford Martial Law, since all the law enforcing agencies except Our Armed Forces have gone corrupt and berzerk. Karachi is out of peace, Balochistan is out of peace and here we are talking about dictatorship. Very true we cannot afford dictatorship, only one man show we can afford that is we have seen in the last 6 years. If PML(N) will leave then we have PTI, again one man show, then the rest then the rest! We have wasted our votes and time on the democracy, now it is time for the Martial Law to arise once again to be the saviour of Pakistan. Please Please Please!! avoid the western policy and culture, they are not meant for Pakistan. We are a ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF PAKISTAN and our foundation is based on Islamic principles and not some democratic HO-HAAH which is based on Globalization.

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syed wasim haider

Apr 21, 2014 01:03pm

You are right that country and masses cannot afford dictatorship but the way the common men are suffering and the elites are enjoying at the cost of tax payers money and if this is going on further and further and then God forbid u should expect something from the khakis and definitely the masses will distribute sweets as in the past rightly or wrongly. For God sake stop corrupt practices at least for the next four years.

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Parvez

Apr 21, 2014 01:07pm

In reality country can not accept SHAM democracy.....as well.

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KKRoberts

Apr 21, 2014 01:11pm

Now what is the problem?.

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M. Saeed Awan

Apr 21, 2014 01:13pm

Welcome since PPP has suffered a lot from dictatorship. The question is whether Imran Khan will also oppose army rule..... certainly NOT.

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armagan akram

Apr 21, 2014 01:16pm

@munir: What makes you think that the army guys are not corrupt too? They are just as self serving as the parties, they just serve different masters.

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Imran Durrani

Apr 21, 2014 01:17pm

Mr Khursheed shah if corrupt leaders like you and Mian brothers are in country yes country can afford dictatorship and we are the people to decide and you are not our represenatative and we are happy with that, we love pakistan army thousands time better then you politicians

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fazal pai

Apr 21, 2014 01:21pm

Why dont we have a referendum, as a special case, for liking or disliking of political system . if the masses rejects these politicians,so this matter will solve for ever.

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fazal pai

Apr 21, 2014 01:28pm

@El Cid: Please provides gloves and masks to these people and institutions, before taking any action.

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Shah

Apr 21, 2014 01:40pm

Pakistan can not afford NRO corrupt family based party politics where the common man of Pakistan has absolutely nothing to say. Pakistan can not afford wolves in democratic clothing looting our country like there is no tomorrow. Pakistan can always afford some patriotic souls in Islamabad. Pak Fauj Zindabad!!

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Aziz

Apr 21, 2014 01:41pm

Dictatorship. Yes but only of the people whose collective will and intelligence should prevail as in every other civilised country Every other institution is subservient to the people of Pakistan. Pakistan cannot be turned in to a banana republic any more by a few adventurers in uniform borrowed from the nation.

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zak

Apr 21, 2014 01:44pm

Country cannot afford extremely corrupt leaders who plunder and then amass their wealth abroad. Then they go attacking institutions who maybe the obstacles in their plunder path.

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james

Apr 21, 2014 01:58pm

yes pakistan can't afford to have corrupt politicians running the country under the protection of mafia justice hands in hands bleeding the country...

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Kharian wala

Apr 21, 2014 02:27pm

@El Cid: Stay on the other side of the border. Remember there is a election going on in India. Worry about Modi and his thugs, henchmen, all out on bail. Helping Modi fight democracy.

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waqar

Apr 21, 2014 03:22pm

Shah Sb, we have seen your Adventures in recent Sindh Flood. Adventurism in corruptions etc etc etc. can be done by these Politicians. Allah hi samjhay ga Inshallah!

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Aamir

Apr 21, 2014 03:32pm

A revolution is coming. The robbers and stealers will be gone forever soon. A true democracy is about to take root in our country. We do not need your biased opinion, Mr. Khurshid. We do not need your fake democracy but a true Democratic Republic of Pakistan.

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Adnan

Apr 21, 2014 04:55pm

@Zameer:Lol! Really, when did that last happen?? As records tell, the last general came back to the country of his own free will, while the one before him blew up also within the country's air. Isn't it the politicians who run away after stashing away billions in swiss accounts and London properties. Thanks to Mr.Shah for his words of wisdom, but its politicians like him that our country cant afford. Carry on fooling us poor souls with this 'democracy' jingo - we probably deserve you.

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Salman

Apr 21, 2014 05:36pm

@El Cid: What Pakistan do you Live in? the one I Live in, civilian corrupt politician bring nothing but misery to the people. I will agree with you if we had a genuine democratic system but unfortunately we do not we have it.

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Ajilala

Apr 21, 2014 05:54pm

@M. Saeed Awan: Who told u btw?

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Khurshid Anwar

Apr 21, 2014 06:05pm

I felt very safe during the marshal laws periods of Genral Ayub, Genral Zia and Pavez Musharraf period was definitely better than PPP and Nawaz Sharif period in regard to the security, justice and equality.

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Aftab Alam Khan

Apr 21, 2014 06:17pm

Now it is clear that Army and government are not in one page. And it will be futile to have further negotiation with TTP as Army in the wake of getting FC personnel slaughtered do not like these outlaws.

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Agha Ata

Apr 21, 2014 06:40pm

Country cannot afford a dictator can only be guaranteed when the would- be- dictators would know that, now, not only that cannot afford a country, they cannot even afford to attempt to be a dictator.

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Ali Pakistani

Apr 21, 2014 06:44pm

What the country doesn't need is a sham democracy of looters and plunderers.

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Shahpur

Apr 21, 2014 07:17pm

Pakistanis either have to put up with the Dictatorship of Corrupt, Dishonest and Incompetent, and their Sub Servient Judiciary or live under Military Dictatorship, they have to decide.

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khan murad

Apr 21, 2014 08:06pm

well thats your perception, infact country can afford Pak Army and deserve it rather than you politicians, and word dictator is your creation, if a man in unform is holding a position doesnt mean that he is a dictator, do some working and you will see that comparitively development in army era has been far greater than civilian gov, reason being you people are incompetent doesnt know how to run state , there are lot of things involved running a big country sir. i would recommend a book top 100 generals, read it, you will see all the developed countries are what they are because of generals mentioned in the book, as far as Mushraff is concerend his time was good.atleast my salary was not getting finished 10 days before every month.

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Shakil

Apr 21, 2014 08:17pm

Yes lets keep this in the two dictator families Zardari and Sharifs! other dictators are too bad as they can put little stop to our corruption!

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ali ahmed

Apr 21, 2014 10:02pm

country can not also effort civilian dictatorship by using PPO on its opponent....give good governance ,stop corruption,hold LB election and transfer democracy at the grass root

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Indoaryan

Apr 21, 2014 11:51pm

Not sure what Mr Shah is trying to suggest, Pakistan can't be governed for long without dictatorship. Democracy is still alien to Pakistani politics.Only time will tell the direction the country will take in future.

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