MYMENSINGH: The East Pakistan Governor, Mr Abdul Monem Khan, has totally rejected the contention of “a newcomer in politics” that the President should resign before two months of the start of the country’s general election and that the interim period of administration be run by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. The Governor was addressing a cross-section of people at Mymensingh town hall last night [Dec 22].

The Governor expressed his surprise that such a fanciful idea could be made by any student of political history and constitution. ... The Governor unequivocally declared that there was no such precedent in the history of politics or constitution anywhere in the world. ... What is needed is an independent machinery for free and fair election and that has been ensured by the Constitution through an independent body like the Election Commission.

Moreover, independence of the judiciary in Pakistan had been acclaimed by all at home and abroad. The Governor stated that he failed to understand as to how the concept of free and impartial judiciary could be reconciled with the idea of members of the judiciary being involved in day-to-day politics ... the fair and unsullied name of the judiciary may be tarnished if the members of the judiciary are dragged into petty squabbles of politics.

Published in Dawn, December 24th, 2018