Dangerous that state is unwilling to protect its own institutions: Rabbani

Published November 3, 2018
A File photo of Raza Rabbani, former Senate chairman.
A File photo of Raza Rabbani, former Senate chairman.

Former Senate chairman Raza Rabbani on Saturday lamented the state's decision to give in to the demands of and enter an agreement with those who had "provoked the nation against the army and judiciary".

After three days of violent protests across Pakistan, the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) on Friday reached an agreement with the federal and Punjab governments under which the latter will initiate the process to put the name of Asia Bibi — who has been acquitted by the Supreme Court of blasphemy charge — on the Exit Control List (ECL) and refrain from objecting to review of the court judgement

The agreement, which came days after Prime Minister Imran Khan had unequivocally warned protesters to "not clash with the state", disappointed Rabbani a great deal.

"It is unfortunate that the state of Pakistan is under the rule of combatants," the senior PPP leader said in a statement. "The Constitution and the law are being moulded according to the wishes of these warlords. Quaid-i-Azam would be rolling over in his grave."

Rabbani felt that the state was unable to perform its job, saying: "The public is being provoked against the judges who ruled as per the law. Those who provoked the army to mutiny are given reassurances. The state failed to take action against those who issued provocations."

The PPP stalwart warned that the fallout of a state that allows its writ to be challenged is "very severe".

"This is very dangerous that the state is not willing to safeguard its own institutions," he said. "In these circumstances, no judge or special court would dare to give a verdict against terrorists. The confidence of the common man gets eroded this way."

Opinion

One year on

One year on

Governance by the ruling coalition has been underwhelming and marked by growing authoritarianism.

Editorial

Climate funding gap
Updated 17 Feb, 2025

Climate funding gap

Pakistan must boost its institutional capacity to develop bankable climate projects.
UN monitoring report
Updated 17 Feb, 2025

UN monitoring report

Pakistan must press Kabul diplomatically over its tolerance of TTP terrorism.
Tax policy reform
17 Feb, 2025

Tax policy reform

THE cabinet’s decision to create a Tax Policy Office at the finance ministry has raised hopes that tax policy is...
Maintaining balance
Updated 16 Feb, 2025

Maintaining balance

It must take a more proactive approach to establishing Pakistan’s bona fides.
Welcome return
16 Feb, 2025

Welcome return

IT is almost here; the moment Pakistan has long been waiting for — the first International Cricket Council...
Childhood trauma
16 Feb, 2025

Childhood trauma

BEING a child in this society should not be so hard. But recurrent reports of child abuse — from burying girl...