Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said that the government is ready for full negotiations. However, in the same breath, he criticized Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, questioning his credibility and referring to his past actions.
“Can you name a single point of view that Imran Khan has maintained for more than 24 hours? Is it wise to stake all your political assets on his commitment?” Speaking on Wednesday, the minister questioned Khan’s steadfastness.
Khawaja Asif made this statement hours after Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Secretary General Asad Umar while talking to JEE News on Wednesday reiterated Imran Khan’s commitment to maintain political stability in the nation. gave Umar said Khan was ready to negotiate with political parties and provide a promise to move forward. “Imran Khan intends to strike a deal. However, an assurance from the government is also necessary,” Umar said.
Khawaja Asif asserted that his political party Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) cannot afford to risk its political capital by relying on Imran Khan’s assurances.
Asif further remarked that the dispute regarding the Supreme Court of Pakistan’s March 1 verdict should be settled first, whether it is a three, two or four-three majority decision. He pointed out that in the current climate of uncertainty, no one can make a definite commitment.
During its hearing on Wednesday, a five-judge larger bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Atta Bandial heatedly debated whether the court’s March 1 order was passed by a 4-3 majority or 3 -2, It was a judicial debate. This became all the more important in the backdrop of a hard-line resolution by the government in the National Assembly against the Supreme Judiciary calling “undue interference in political affairs a cause of political instability in the country”. The government resolution limited the power of the Chief Justice to take automatic notice.
Khawaja Asif said that both Nawaz Sharif and Jahangir Tareen were deprived of their legal rights, the government is not giving them any relief as the matter is in the hands of the Supreme Court.
In response to a question, Khawaja Asif said that the government is not consolidating power in the Parliament because the power still rests with the Supreme Court. He further said that the government will accept the decisions of the Supreme Court on all appeals and fully implement them.
On Wednesday, the government passed the “Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Bill, 2023” in the National Assembly, which has drawn much criticism. Responding to concerns regarding the new law, Khawaja Asif said that the legislation does not consolidate power within the legislature.
He said that Parliament makes laws within its limits. According to the powers of Parliament, it can make laws. Therefore, no one has the right to object. Asif also said that in some cases, court decisions are accepted as law.
Moreover, Asif observed that the present Chief Justice has made lifelong disqualification a strict law.
