Courts used doctrine of necessity to validate martial laws, says Nawaz

KARACHI: Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif said on Friday that the courts have validated martial laws in the country on the basis of the 'doctrine of necessity'.

While speaking in a seminar on ‘The Future of Democracy in Pakistan’, being held in a local hotel here, he said that the doctrine of necessity adversely affected democracy in the country, adding that a section of the judiciary has always supported dictators.

"We have to take strict decisions to take this country on the right path," the Pakistan Muslim League-N leader said, adding, "Not a single elected representative could complete his mandated tenure, whereas the dictators ruled the country for more than 30 years."

The PML-N leader claimed the nexus of dictators and court did not let democracy prosper in the country. 

"Court, which is powerful for politicians, is helpless in front of the dictators. Politicians have been hanged, they have been called hijackers but those who violated the Constitution did not face any ire," he added.

The former premier said that despite all attacks against democracy by dictators no one could bury it as the masses are aware of their rights now. 

"All sections of the society should play their role for the prosperity of democracy. Lawyers, teachers, media all have to become soldiers of democracy without any bias," Nawaz said.

He questioned why the court has not given its decision in the treason case against former president General (retd) Pervez Musharraf. 

Earlier, Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party Chairman Mahmood Khan Achakzai, National Party Chairman Mir Hasil Bizenjo and other mainstream political leaders and members of civil society addressed the seminar.

Achakzai, in his speech, demanded that the resolution demanding to take away the nationality of those who violate the Constitution and terming PCO judges worst persons be accepted.

He added that he’s ready to be termed anything but an enemy of the country. 

Later in the day, speaking at a party meeting, Nawaz said that he prays that the country is safe from facing anarchic decisions, adding that his party has given exemplary state of the art infrastructure to the country. 

Nawaz welcomes bar council member to PML-N

At a gathering in the city later in the day, Nawaz welcomed Pakistan Bar Council member Yasin Azad to PML-N.

“The addition of important lawyers to PML-N will prove to be an asset for the party,” Nawaz said. He added 40 other lawyers, including Azad, have joined PML-N.

During his speech, Nawaz lauded the lawyers’ endeavours during the movement to restore judiciary, saying it would always be remembered. “The movement was not for restoration of a few judges.”

However, judiciary was restored but justice has yet to be provided, Nawaz added. He said 38,000 cases were pending for hearing in Supreme Court until November 2017.

“Now, a movement will be started to restore [provision of] justice.” 

Former prime minister in Karachi 

Nawaz arrived in Karachi on Thursday. While chairing a meeting of the party’s provincial executive committee, he promised to bring a change in Karachi and Sindh if he is given the chance.

Look at the difference between the Karachi of 2013 and Karachi of 2017, he said, adding that “The difference is quite evident”.

“Karachi is equally precious to me as any other city of Pakistan,” he said, adding “I invite people of Karachi to visit Lahore.

“Karachi should’ve been more developed, progressive, and pretty. However, Lahore has won this race.”

Nawaz, who was disqualified as prime minister by the Supreme Court in a landmark verdict on July 28, has come to Karachi for the first time since his disqualification.