Pakistan inches toward political uncertainty
Pakistani Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf.—AFP (File Photo)
KARACHI: Pakistan appeared to be treading toward an uncertain political terrain on Tuesday as arrest orders were issued for a sitting prime minister in a corruption case and a populist cleric called for the government’s resignation leading tens of thousands of protesters into the federal capital.
During the early hours of Tuesday, the Pakistani-Canadian chief of the Tehrik-i-Minhajul Quran (TMQ), Dr Tahirul Qadri, followed by a large motorcade and thousands of supporters on foot, called for the “corrupt” and “inefficient” sitting government to step down. He threatened that the people would otherwise “take matters into their own hands”.
“This president and prime minister…they are now ex-presidents and prime ministers. Their time is over. Dissolve the national and provincial assemblies by the morning. I am giving you until 11 am to step down or else the people will start making their own decisions,” said Qadri, who many believe to be backed by the country’s military establishment. “These millions of supporters have spoken. They have rejected your so-called mandate. You are no longer their representatives.”
The protesters — according to some estimates numbering between 25,000 to 50,000 — relocated towards D-chowk in front of the Parliament, where Qadri spoke to them again from behind a bullet-proof shield at around 1 pm, unveiling his charter of demands, and praising the country’s military and the judiciary. The cleric threatened to remain camped in front of the parliament along with his supporters until his demands were met.
“(The government) has wasted and brought a bad end to our armed forces, those armed forces who are highly sincere, highly competent and highly capable and highly professional,” News agency Reuters quoted Qadri, who alternated between Urdu and English in his speech. “Even they can’t do anything because the political government isn’t able to deliver anything from this land. Judgments are being passed by our great, independent judiciary but the government is not ready to implement them.”
But as Qadri praised the two state institutions, the Supreme Court of Pakistan announced orders for the arrest of 16 individuals, including Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf, in the rental power projects case.
Prime Minister Ashraf was accused of receiving kickbacks and commissions in the RPPs case during his previous stint as federal minister for water and power.
“The chief justice ordered that all concerned, regardless of their rank, who have been booked in the case be arrested and if someone leaves the country, then chairman of National Accountability Bureau will be held responsible along with his investigating team,” said Aamir Abbas, lawyer for the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). “The sixteen include Raja Ashraf.”
Profile: Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf
Nearly an hour later, Fawad Chaudhry, an aide to the embattled prime minister, accused the military and the Supreme Court of conspiring together to topple the government.
The uncertainty also took its toll on the country’s equity markets, with the benchmark Karachi Stock Exchange 100 index plummeting 3.16 per cent during the days trading, closing 525 points lower at 16,107.89.
The ruling coalition government battles its latest challenges just a day after Prime Minister Ashraf invoked Article 234 of the Constitution, dissolving the provincial government and imposing governor’s rule in the restive Balochistan province. The government was forced to give in to hundreds of protesting ethnic Shia Hazaras who had been refusing to bury the victims of bombings in Quetta, the provincial capital, to protect government inaction over attacks targeting the community.
Pakistan has been unkind to itself, and it has not given itself sufficient time for democracy to settle in the country. Each time a democratic government is elected, extremists of various kinds (including the ‘military’ variety) feels the urge to get back into the seat of power. Democracy allows for ‘outing’ the corrupt in the society. It allows for people of different beliefs and views to live together. It teaches tolerance, regardless of the views held by those in the minority. But Pakistan needs to be patient in being able to attain it’s democratic ideals.
Roger
No body is above the la\w , government should comply the court orders.
Fasahat
Our nation is living in these situation for the last 65 years, and we will be living in future as well.
ok
The Title of the article,”Pakistan inches toward political uncertainty” is completely wrong.
There is no politics in Pakistan. It is a charade of the corrupt, for the corrupt and by the corrupt.
This is insanity looks like SC playing in to the hands of armed forces of Pakistan for another military rule using same old excuse of civilian corruption.The judicial branch way over reacting and using unusual non judicial powers which i don’t know whether Pakistan’s constitution gave them.they can certainly probe in to allegations but ordering arrest i think as international democrat way out of their league and misuse of power..I request Dawn to comment on constitution of pakistan
cheers! Pakistan like India is a society in transition! These things are bound to happen as we move towards a bright future.
Dr Qadri is the last hope of the poor people of Pakistan. Support him and do not let his moment pass without meaningful reforms.
get the corrupt ones out.before they run us into the ground,
This is Pakistan, what more do you expect. Every one is corrupt. Very soon, we will be the worst country to live on this planet earth.
My friend, You are already living in failed state and worst country
‘Very Soon’? Sorry to be so honest with you… but we already are the worst country on this earth, in the international corruption list, Pakistan is 6th from bottom out of all the countries in the world
The protesters — according to some estimates numbering between 25,000 to 50,000
…..
please correct your estimate its upto 2 lace protestors..
What a strange stroke of fate for pakistani people! Always in turmoil.
A country which could not run by a democratic Govt full term- shame on us.
Its lmost full term and its time for a change
If you can’t find a good clean PM, please take the Mr. clean Manmohan Singh from India.
Slow and steady wins the race as the tortoise beat the hare.
What took you guys so looooooooooooooooooooooooong?
Political turmoil in Pakistan due to vacuum in effective leadership
What a creative but inept political class? if only they could match each crisis with an opportunity-Pakistan will be heaven on earth as opposed to the hell they have made it into.
Dirty politics played in Pakistan,All Political parties including supreme court and the army are playing politics.
Its a land mark decision, no one is above the law and SC is just prooving that. Time is up for looters & plunderers in this country. You may differ to what I say but I have the right to be published on this forum.
Why pick and choose policy? If Baluchistan can be imposed Governor rule, KPK needs this as well , since there were more killings individually, collectively also massacres. Can we say that governemnt of Coalation only move when they think situation benefitting, them?
Estabilshment is always, there evern working when there are no political mafia, elected after every five years or in some cases more then ten years. When these political elites are sharing there booty, estabishment still work for them, watching and some times also benefitting.
According to my opinion, establishment whether military or civil is right if they claim, that they are doing ups and down in politics of Pakistan due to these corrupt politicians, which is known to every one and even children, who while playing call each other Raja R…. though, they never have claimed it and will not, then why intersted persons who speaks against estabilshment? I have seen some famous lawyers and human rights activists in London’s Russel square, who according to them went for a meeting with stakeholders on human rights in Pakistan? It means every one in Pakistan seems to have some links and intersts with the establishment of some where. In need of time they all i am sure would be ready to fly and if there names are on ECL, they might have planned to travel by sea, to friendly states.
I am all for justice regardless of the position the person holds. My question is, if the PM does not have immunity, why does the president enjoy immunity?
Political Uncertainty is a mild word to you. I would say utter chaos is something that is a word that reflects the situation better. Though not a fan of the Zardari government, I find it quite interesting that all of a sudden the Military back politician/cleric descended upon Islamabad and at the same time the Pakistani Court has acted in this way. Seems all pretty well coordinated to me.
Banana Republic.
Don’t know if it’s happening for the good or bad.. but it’s happening