LAHORE: Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique Friday said that disqualification of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and the decision in Benazir Bhutto murder case have raised doubts in the system of justice.
The minister, in a series of tweets, expressed his disappointment over recent verdicts. He said the decision to disqualify Nawaz Sharif and the verdict in Benazir murder case have cast doubts on the “system”.
The minister criticised the judicial practices and stated that senior leaders of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) made no serious effort to seek justice in the Benazir Bhutto murder case.
The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader accused the important stakeholders of not fulfilling their responsibility for the establishment of transparent, free and strong democracy.
He said that internal issues could be resolved only by talks.
He supported the cause of inter-institutional dialogue to strengthen democracy.
The minister added that the judiciary was restored as a result of the struggle for an independent judiciary, but “we couldn’t restore its independence and honour”.
Rafique complained that former military dictator Pervez Musharraf has turned out to be more powerful than the country’s judicial system.
It might be mentioned that an anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Thursday announced its verdict in the murder case of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto after almost ten years, where ATC Judge Asghar Khan at Adiala Jail cleared five accused in the case, sentenced two former police officials, and declared former president Musharraf an absconder.
Published in Daily Times, September 2nd 2017.
