KARACHI: Serious concerns have been aired by members of civil society and trade unions over the recent decision of three members of the Supreme Court whereby the head (Nawaz Sharif) of a major political party (Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz) has been deprived of his legitimate right to lead the party as guaranteed under the Constitution.

During a press conference at the Karachi Press Club on Thursday, they demanded that all the political parties should review the Charter of Democracy submitted earlier and pledge another set of recommendations and all the state institutions should work according to their limits as described by the Constitution.

“Article 17 of the Constitution provides guarantee of freedom of association. But it can have dangerous implications when joined with Articles 62 and 63, which are not even in their original form,” Karamat Ali, executive director of Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research (Piler), said.

“There was a time when there would be cases filed against politicians where they were accused of stealing cows or buffaloes. But now I think thanks to the stretching of Articles 62 and 63 trade unions, too, may fall prey. Then we’ll see union leaders being accused of stealing chickens. Such kind of draconian control may do away with even the one per cent trade unions that we have in our country,” he said.

“A country has a future when the common man’s present is secure. Therefore, it is important to respect your democratic traditions. It is election year so my advice to political party members, too, would be to stop playing ‘Maula Jatt’. Make your plans, take them to the people. Look at how you can strengthen democracy. Look after people’s rights,” he said.

Advocate Akhtar Hussain, general secretary of Awami Workers Party, was of the opinion that party members serving in the assembly should raise their voice against the injustice.

“Although political parties have failed to remove such amendments from the Constitution under various compulsions, we still feel that the Supreme Court, being the custodian of citizens’ rights, should distance itself from controversial verdicts, which carry long-term negative impact. Such an unprecedented verdict a few months before the general election is likely to increase polarisation in the country,” he said.

“The recent change in the Balochistan Assembly and decision of the Election Commission asking the Senate candidates of the largest political party of Pakistan to contest Senate elections as independent candidates in light of the Supreme Court’s decision is not only unprecedented but has opened the doors wide open to horse trading and electoral corruption,” he said.

Academician Dr Riaz Shaikh said that democracy is still evolving in Pakistan and when anything is evolving such problems can surface. “There is, therefore, a need for constitutional courts,” he said.

“We feel that Constitution of 1973 has very clearly mentioned the distribution of powers of different organs of state. The stretching of articles in our Constitution and amendments were introduced by a dictator for personal gains,” reminded Mahnaz Rahman, director of Aurat Foundation.

“When the judges of your country say things against minorities and the women of your country and then after being criticised issue clarifications, they don’t deserve to sit on the seat they occupy,” said Asad Iqbal Butt, vice chairman, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan.

Saeed Baloch, general secretary of Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum, and columnist Muqtida Mansoor also spoke.

Published in Dawn, March 2nd, 2018