KARACHI, Aug 23: Hailing the Supreme Court’s decision allowing Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif to return home, leaders of various political parties have termed it a victory of the constitution and righteousness.

Commenting on the verdict, Prof Ghafoor Ahmad, a central leader of the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal and deputy chief of the Jamaat-Islami, said it was the second important decision of the SC after that of July 20. This decision, he said, had proved that sending the Sharif brothers into exile was an unconstitutional and unethical step.

The Pakistan Muslim League’s deputy secretary for information, Sardar Rahim, said the judgment had vindicated the stand taken by Nawaz Sharif. He added that the nation and the country were beginning to practise the Quaid-i-Azam’s principle about the rule of law. He said that soon the people would hear better news.

Secretary-General of the National Party Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo, welcoming the decision of the Supreme Court in favour of the former prime minister, said the decision would help strengthen the supremacy of the constitution and protect the fundamental rights recognized in the civilized world.

The NP leader said it would now be difficult for the generals to infringe on the fundamental rights of the people by violating the constitution.

He described the decision as a victory of democratic forces who had been fighting for the supremacy of the constitution and the rule of law, the sovereign rights of the people of Pakistan and its federating units.

The president of the Alliance for the Restoration for Democracy, Sindh, Zain Ansari, said it was a victory of the people.

He said Gen Musharraf had paralysed the country and all the institutions of the state after seizing power eight years back, but as a result of the liberation of the judiciary, 160 million people stood liberated.

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf vice-president Arif Alvi said there could have been no other decision than what was pronounced by the Supreme Court as there was no provision in the constitution that allowed the government to send a citizen into exile.

Veteran politician Mairaj Mohammad Khan said not only Nawaz Sharif but all politicians should have the right to return home and participate in politics.

Pakistan Workers Party Secretary-General Yusuf Mastikhan said the decision was another step in restoring public confidence in the judiciary. After this decision, people expected that Nawaz Sharif would return home to provide leadership to the country and lead the people.

Pakistan People’s Party (Shaheed Bhutto) Chairperson Ghinwa Bhutto said the decision was a manifestation of the determination of the judiciary to uphold the rule of law and the supremacy of the constitution.

“No agreement or undertaking could supersede Article 15 of the constitution,” she said and expressed the hope that the Supreme Court in the future would also ensure justice and fair play.

PPP Parliamentary Party Leader in the Sindh Assembly Nisar Ahmad Khuhro, who is also the leader of opposition in the assembly, said one could only welcome the judgment as it was a basic right of every Pakistani to come to Pakistan. However, he said, a big question mark hung over why Nawaz Sharif had to seek a court ruling for his return home unless there was something between him and the government that needed to be clarified before his return.