• Acknowledges burden on citizens amid soaring electricity bills
• Punjab information minister terms PTI’s existence a threat to Pakistan’s integrity, sovereignty

LAHORE: PML-N Pre­si­dent Nawaz Sharif on Saturday urged the Sup­reme Court judges to reconsider their decisions to better serve the public.

Speaking during a Pun­jab government meeting on the solar progra­mme alo­ngside his daughter, Chief Minister Mar­yam Nawaz, Mr Sharif ref­erred to the apex court’s ruling in the reserved seats case, urging the judiciary to focus on the welfare of the masses.

“Those giving decisi­ons, like the one in the reserved seats case, need to rethink as they must take care of people,” he said.

The former prime minister recalled the Supreme Court’s role in the Panama Papers case in 2017, which led to his removal from off­ice after PTI leader Imran Khan filed a petition.

“A man (Imran Khan) roaming the roads was invited to the Supreme Court for justice, which ultimately led to my ousting. Why was this injustice done to the country?” Mr Sharif questioned.

On the issue of soaring electricity bills, Mr Sharif acknowledged the financ­ial burden on the populace. “No one can pay the electricity bill; it has become a burden on everyone. By 2017, bills were lower, and so was the dollar rate. Since 2018, the poor have suffered greatly,” he noted, promising his party would take all possible measures to provide relief to citizens.

Nawaz Sharif has maintained a low profile since his party failed to secure a majority in the controversial Feb 8 polls, and his younger brother, Shehbaz Sharif, became prime minister. Recently, he reclaimed the PML-N presidency six years after losing it due to the Sup­reme Court’s ruling in the Panama Papers case.

“The country is not be­ing treated fairly,” Mr Sharif commented, hinting at alleged judicial biases. “We had said goodbye to IMF, but everyone knows who brought it back.”

Reflecting on his government’s 2013-17 tenure, he claimed that the country was “prospering by leaps and bounds” during that time. The PML-N supremo’s remarks came a day after CM Maryam launched a sca­thing criticism on the eight judges of the 13-member Supreme Court bench that allowed the PTI to reclaim its seats in parliament and assemblies. She warned the judges of sev­ere consequences for atte­m­pts to destabilise the country.

“The Supreme Court’s dec­ision (in the reserved seats case) is an attempt to destabilise the country. The judges who delivered this verdict have, in fact, sold their conscience,” she alleged. “Decisions should be based on law and the Cons­ti­tution, not personal biases.”

She warned, “I want to tell the judges of the Supreme Court, let this country function smoo­thly. We will not allow you to disrupt its progress. Anyone who attempts to derail development and create political instability will be dealt with firmly.”

On Saturday, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari also criticised the judges, declaring that those supporting the May 9 culprits would be seen as facilitators.

“There is no place in Pakistani politics for the rioters and terrorists of May 9. Anyone standing with them will be considered an accomplice and no unconstitutional facilitation will be tolerated anymore,” Ms Bokhari said in a statement.

She said the existence of a party (PTI) that had become a threat to Pakis­tan’s integrity and sovereignty was intolerable.

Published in Dawn, July 21st, 2024