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WHY does the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) wish to garnish its credentials as a party that isn’t bound by the law and its procedures? Whether it’s Imran Khan’s resolve to oust Nawaz Sharif in a manner not contemplated by the letter or spirit of our Constitution or his call for civil disobedience (encouraging people to refuse paying taxes and utility bills), PTI seems unable to distinguish between the state and the government, demands of the law and those mandated to enforce it. Is PTI letting its suspicion of the PML-N government manifest itself as disdain for the law?
Whether it is PTI’s vigilantes blockading Nato containers in KP (an action declared illegal by the courts), PTI convening an illegal assembly at D-chowk in disregard of permission granted to protest in Aabpara, PTI demanding that the Supreme Court disregard Article 225 and declare election 2013 illegal and void, or PTI’s refusal to abide by laid-down procedure to resign from parliament, the party continues to portray a sense of entitlement to be treated preferentially in disregard of the law.
Last week saw needless politicking on the issue of resignations. The speaker might be a PML-N loyalist and there might be doubts regarding the veracity of his own election to parliament. But his position on verification of resignations is backed by the law. Article 64 of the Constitution entitles any member of the National Assembly to resign by writing to the speaker. Article 67 allows the Assembly to frame rules to regulate its business pursuant to which Rules of Procedure and Conduct of National Assembly, 2007, have been promulgated.
Rule 43(2) requires the speaker to accept the resignation, “if (a) a member hands over the letter of resignation to the speaker personally and informs him that the resignation is voluntary and genuine and the speaker has no information or knowledge to the contrary; or (b) the speaker receives the letter of resignation by any other means and he, after such inquiry as he thinks fit, either himself or through the National Assembly Secretariat or through any other agency, is satisfied that the resignation is voluntary and genuine… .”
The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf continues to portray a sense of entitlement to be treated preferentially.
The substantive requirement thus is that the resignation must be “voluntary and genuine”. The procedure is meant to enable the speaker to satisfy himself that the member has resigned of his own free will. Had PTI members handed over their resignations personally, the speaker could have confirmed at the time whether they were doing so of their own volition. As the resignations were handed over collectively to the assembly staff, the speaker was required under 43(2)(b) to conduct an inquiry to determine their genuineness and voluntary nature.
Why is PTI refusing to allow its MNAs to meet with the speaker individually to confirm their resignations? Shah Mehmood Qureshi has alleged that PML-N is indulging in ‘Changa Manga’ politics (alluding to the ugly horse-trading practices of the 1990s). The insinuation is that PML-N is trying to create dissension within PTI’s ranks and a collective meeting with the speaker and peer pressure is imperative to keep individual PTI MNAs honest to their commitment to resign. Is this not reason enough to consider that the resignations might be involuntary?
At least three PTI MNAs have publicly refused to resign. PTI has thrown these dissidents out of the party and has also asked the speaker to throw them out of the Assembly for breaching party discipline (notwithstanding that such dissent is no ground for disqualification.)
It has been widely reported that Khan’s decision to force members to resign (except in KP) is deeply contested within PTI. In this backdrop why should the speaker not discharge his legal obligation to ensure that each resigning member is doing so without coercion?
PTI seems to fear that its MNAs might be swayed not to resign in a five-minute private conversation with the speaker but still wants the speaker to rule that the resignations are voluntary. The related question then is who does a parliamentary seat belong to, the member or the party? And to what extent ought freedom of thought and action exist within a party? In a political culture where dissent is abhorred and autocratic party heads order members around like sheep, hadn’t PTI set itself out to be different?
Horse-trading of the 1990s was reprehensible. But what solution did party heads conceive for a malady they had themselves nurtured? They introduced Article 63A into the Constitution that entrenched the party head’s role as a dictator. The original 63A stated that anyone voting against the party line would be thrown out of parliament. Thankfully, that extent of repudiation of free will and conscience seemed excessive even to a real dictator, who got 63A amended and restricted herd voting to money bills and ouster of the prime minister etc.
Imran Khan had promised to develop PTI as a sustainable institution with internal democracy, elections and devolved decision-making (for award of tickets etc). We have seen PTI’s president expelled over his difference of opinion with Khan. We have seen MNAs being thrown out for refusing to tender resignations. We have heard Khan declare that the next time around he will distribute tickets himself. Have events of the last few months caused regression in his thinking and is PTI now to function as a cult?
Benazir Bhutto was a popular leader and PPP revolved around her. Did that entitle her to leave her party to her son as an heirloom? The N in PML-N stands for Nawaz. Does that entitle him to distribute state largesse and offices amongst family members and place public funds under his daughter’s control? All this continues to happen because power within political parties is concentrated at the top, sycophants and lackeys rise within party ranks, and independent minds and dissenters are condemned to oblivion.
If PTI is to be an entity larger than the person of Imran Khan and different from the one-man political parties he has been critical of, it must strike the right balance between individualism and collective action, create room for dissent and embrace a culture that doesn’t shun voices critical of its leader’s black-and-white worldview.
The writer is a lawyer.
Twitter: @babar_sattar
Published in Dawn, November 3rd, 2014
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Comments (125) Closed
Nov 03, 2014 02:45am
I hope Imran Khan realizes that Babar Sattar is trying to sincerely council him and not take it as an attack. IK should seek Sattar's help in correcting some of the points with which Mr. Sattar takes issue. I think both Sattar and IK can find a lot of common ground in improving the state of the PTI and Pakistan. In fact, Babar Sattar should be part of the "brain trust" of Imran Khan, similar to the famous team FDR had in formulating the New Deal, which saved the US from implosion after the Great Depression. It's high time IK take back the "lafafa" remarks which were based in incorrect intel.
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Nov 03, 2014 03:24am
We all know why Pti has to resort to demonstrations and protests (which by the way are perfectly legal). The government and the system does not function. All wronged parties including Pti cannot get any justice or recourse so public pressure is the only way.
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Nov 03, 2014 03:31am
Imran khan appeals to the middle class who are the ones who have created the corrupt system and are the main benefcators of the status quo.It is all round hypocricy. The govt on the other hand is no torch bearer of democracy.
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Nov 03, 2014 04:33am
Another Dictator in the making.
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Nov 03, 2014 05:07am
The constitution is clear - even if the provisions need to be amended and removed - about the reasons for which a party can have it's members disqualified from the NA. Refusing to resign is not one of them. Yet the PTI demands the it's 3 publicly refusing MNAs be disqualified and if not done so, the government is not obeying the law. What kind of illegal demands are these?
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Nov 03, 2014 06:32am
I wish the writer knew the difference between "Rule of Law" and "Rule by Law". Constitutions and laws are not sacrosanct if they do not ensure rule of law and protect the fundamental rights of the people. What we have in this country is a system of rule by law and that needs to be changed, whatever it may take to do so. Khan is doing the right thing. I lament that a learned writer like you would argue along such superficial lines.
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Nov 03, 2014 07:21am
I am sure if his son shows a tiny bit of interest in Politics...He will be chairman without much effort.
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Nov 03, 2014 07:49am
Babar has raised exactly the point that has turned me and others like me away from PTI. The way khan has handled himself in the last couple of months has closed the gap between him and a typical Pakistani politician and between PTI and other political parties. Imran has continued to make unsubstantiated claims from his container and also not concerned himself with the impact of calls like civil disobedience on the country. His party is full of makhdooms and the like of sh. Rasheed. PTI's selling point is that it is different and more it loses that differentiation, more it will lose its support.
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Nov 03, 2014 08:27am
Simply brilliant," The insinuation is that PML-N is trying to create dissension within PTI’s ranks and a collective meeting with the speaker and peer pressure is imperative to keep individual PTI MNAs honest to their commitment to resign. Is this not reason enough to consider that the resignations might be involuntary?". Shah Mamhmud Qureshi I rest my case.
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Nov 03, 2014 08:45am
If the thugs running Pakistan, totally disregard the laws, the courts, the judges,
the writ of the Apex Court, then why is the author clamoring for PTI to observe
and abide by these laws? On one hand you have a despot setting Guinness
World records in Nepotism, [among others] such as appointing his daughter as
the Chief in charge of Youth Loan Scheme. Grooming his nephew as the next PM.
Taking his son on every foreign trip to to drum up business for the Family Conglomerates.
Trying a veteran general who fought in 3 wars for Pakistan as a traitor! [after reneging
on a deal to let him go in exile] The govt of Nawaz is an expert in total blatant,
manipulations of the laws to fit any current ongoing needs. Yet, the the author is
singing one tune, about obeying the LAWS. Afraid this is the only aria in his repertoire.
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Nov 03, 2014 09:01am
Once again the so-called liberal is violating the very definition of being liberal. After lambasting the PTI throughout the column, Babar Sattar is giving the sense of being neutral by writing few lines against those who raped the law for years and brought the country to near-destruction. What is more important, the right and the wrong or the letter (there is no spirit of constitution in the current Nawaz-democracy of Pakistan) of constitution? It's okay, you are a lawyer but please don't tell people what is written inside the constitution-book, tell them what sense it advocates I mean the "common sense". One of the great damage done to this country is because of the so-called intellectuals that are universally hypocritical in nature as they know deep down what is right but still try to mould the facts and portray a picture of their own desire (please check the definition of intellectual). It is as bright as the sunlight that the Nawaz-Zardari combo is trying to protect and enhance its filth, its wrongdoings and injustices made to the people of Pakistan under the garb of constitution and democracy while the only opposition they are facing is Imran Khan. So please, Babar, don't try to trample on the last flicker of HOPE.
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Nov 03, 2014 10:20am
The articles or constitution you are talking about has become impotent and may not be able to safeguard the vested interests of few.
The public has become sick & tide of being fleeced by this holly document at the name of democracy and is not ready to permit looters any more. No health, education,security, justice , CLEAN WATER.
God Bless You.
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Nov 03, 2014 10:32am
Apparently the PTI jialas are as blind as PPP jiyalas once were.
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Nov 03, 2014 10:33am
Well commented.
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Nov 03, 2014 10:35am
@Waleed Baig humm so the end does justify the means !!
In the actions of all men, and especially of princes, where there is no court to appeal to, one looks to the end. So let prince win and maintain his state: the means will always be judged honorable, and will be praised by everyone.
Here in the Prince, Machiavelli does not seem to be making an ethical argument, but a psychological one.
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Nov 03, 2014 10:45am
The bane of excolonial nations is person centric politics/parties. Oxford has not cured Khan of this syndrom. what hope do we have of democratic politics?
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Nov 03, 2014 10:45am
@Mohsin very well, a person with vision can understand it...otherwise took a bird eye and just say..he is against Imran
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Nov 03, 2014 10:54am
Mr. Babr, give me the justice and I will not break the law. If I cannot get justice, breaking the law is very natural. Being a lawyer, you must challenge the wrong doing of any big political party in court including PTI and NS, but you will never move until you get your fee. Is protesting on the street for one's own right is breaking the law OR appointing ones' daughter for a 1B fund and bypassing all rules is breaking the law? have you ever criticized the appointment of Marian NS?
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Nov 03, 2014 11:09am
@Kublai, in a nutshell you are saying that all others do that, why shouldn't IK do it as well. You know people look at him (wrongly) thinking he's different from the rest of the stock, right?
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Nov 03, 2014 11:14am
@CSP, ad that is how cults are formed. PTI supporter is no different than a PPP Jiyala today.
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Nov 03, 2014 11:27am
Very valid questions to all political parties this time Mr Sattar. People are observing them what is rhetoric and what is reality in political parties.Who is above law?
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Nov 03, 2014 11:48am
imran khan ousted javed hashmi sattar alluding to this and saying members will be thrown out from party if they don't follow party rules or alternatively in the words of sattar imran's dictation.. someone tell him PTI is the name of ideology not only a political entity like N or PPP or some other party.. if someone deviates from the ideology he must be thrown out
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Nov 03, 2014 12:09pm
I'm fully convinced with the writer. We vote for PTI and send them in National & provisional assemblies to do something good for country and make an effort to change within the system but unfortunately IK chose to sit outside. If he think he is more effective by sitting outside than so be it. He must resign first from KPK and should sit outside there too.
We want him to play constructive role in the society but he is all the way playing destructive games. He would've gain so much by reforming election commission and other things by sitting inside but it seems that all he care about to become Prime Minister, no matter what, illegal or legal. There is no difference between PTI and other political parties.
Whatever he is saying on top of the container is without any research. Everyone laugh at him when he said that one thousand kids are dying after one hour in the country and in every 45 second one pregnant women is dying in the country. Did he even calculate how much it become after 24 hours and how much it become an year.
Now I've started to believe that he must use some kind of drugs because he seems to be delusional. He cannot see but himself all the time. According to Mr. IK he is the only angel in Pakistan, rest of the Pakistan is corrupt and dishonest. I really feel sorry for him and his blind followers as he is so much frustrated that he cannot see any kind of goodness in Pakistan and anything good happening around him. All he can see is bad and the only solution to make it right is that IK must be the PRIME MINISTER of Pakistan. He use to take advantage and credits of all victory like world cup, I believe it was team efforts but for him it was only IK.
Don't forget that we've won T-20 World Cup while YOUNAS Khan was caption so what does? No one talk about it and give credit to YOUNSA KHAN.
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Nov 03, 2014 12:14pm
Indeed true but I recon your advice is to good to be true for party like PTI in Pakistan. Today if you are with me you r saint regardless of your past and if you are against me you r the traitor, Corrupt, ignorant, bla bla.
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Nov 03, 2014 12:27pm
Very well said.. IK and PTI should spend time reading it carefully and take new guard. That will help boht PTI and country.
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Nov 03, 2014 12:31pm
@raja Which ideology?Medina state or Music concert?.Jamaite Islami is the only ideological party (on the right) left in Pakistan if Sirajul Haq's diplomatic stance to please everyone does not change it.Where is the party of ideology on the left gone?Let us ask for principles and values guys and galls whether right or left?
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Nov 03, 2014 12:45pm
@ilyas dear read the article completly.
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Nov 03, 2014 12:49pm
Mr. Sattar: Though I know you know more than what you write, still I will answer the question, as to why PTI somehow wants to be treated above law, by posing another question: Which other institution takes itself to be above law of the land and breaks it periodically with impunity? Bracket them together and it hits us between the eyes. Remember article 58 (2) B is gone-article 6 is now more articulate as to the punishment of a transgressor of constitution. One accused is already under process for it. Judiciary is independent enforced by popular will. It certaily hurts those used to sipping the speakeasy brew of power. Old pawns are wisened up and they got the new groom Imran, wet behind the ears ready to sing and dance to the tune of his liveried pipers!
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Nov 03, 2014 12:54pm
Imran khan is a moderate dictator thats why without given any show cause notice served to Javed Hashmi,he expelled him in public rally without listening his argument.It is history of Imran khan life that he had behaved in his cricket life with the players as a dictator,so after passing of every night he announced every day new policy on container without consultation other party leaders,Civil disobedience,Hundy system,Support Taliban,support Musharf ,all were his personal desires so think when he may be the head of state,what will be his behavior?He is psycho patient .
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Nov 03, 2014 12:55pm
Well written Mr. Sattar and all fair points. Please do also consider legally speaking:
1) Can Mr Imran Khan be considered "sadiq and ameen" as required by the constitution if he violated the Hudood Ordinance with Sita White even if it was on foreign soil?
2) as punishment for the last point should he be whipped?
3) What happened to Imran Khan's case in the UK courts against Altaf bhai?
4) Can Shaukat Khanum as a charitable trust in Pakistan invest in a shady/loss-making Omani real estate project with a related party as declared in the accounts of the hospital?
5) If Miss Mazari as party spokesman lied about the London meeting (as she did) does that disqualify her from parliament?
Thank You
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Nov 03, 2014 12:57pm
Well said babar sattar,arguments are valid.
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Nov 03, 2014 01:01pm
very good one!
I can not understand why the followers start defending the wrongs of their party leaders.They always give them a way out rather accepting their mistakes.It is the reason all parties keep doing whatever they want and people keep fighting and dying for them. being rational is need of hour.
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Nov 03, 2014 01:12pm
Imran Khan needs serious counseling.
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Nov 03, 2014 01:15pm
The disapproval we are of to a dictator isn't because we don't see patriotism in him or he lacks conviction of making Pakistan prosper and its people happy. Our disdain for him because he doesn't rule with a set of rules. We have already seen four military dictators, a civilian dictator, and now a revolutionary dictator is in the making.
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Nov 03, 2014 01:16pm
Does our Law and those you are supposed to uphold it .........deserve the respect and admiration that you so think they do ??
......as a common man I say NO THEY DON'T.
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Nov 03, 2014 01:19pm
Sattar has always being anti PTI and pro PMLN. Nothing new in that. I am amazed that he missed the point that the core committee summoned Javed Hashmi for the explanation of his actions. And then JH resigned himself. IK did not kick him out of the party
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Nov 03, 2014 01:37pm
Yes there are lots of things that need to be corrected for PTI. But when it comes to voting I would choose IK over other Family Limited Companies any day!
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Nov 03, 2014 01:38pm
My dear Author, Its the mear fact that our entire system is rigged. Our justice system is physically their but morally not capable. You talk about constitution [laughable]. Its an issue of national security at the moment. We have some culprits, very rich and powerfull who have highjacked the 2013 elections and have help the pakistani people at hostage. WE ARE ALL AWARE ALONG WITH. So what have the judicial system done about it, what has the law inforcement done about it, what has the army done about it. NOTHING, we are the people and we are on the streets to kick these highjackers of our democracy and freedom out of power. there is no choice but to take this route. ECP has done nothing (all paid by the highjackers) or why have not they done anything(explain). Lies, delays, stay motions in court. THEY HAVE ALL BEEN EXPOSED AND WHAT HAS THE JUSTICE SYSTEM DONE................NOOOOOOOOOOTHING..................
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Nov 03, 2014 01:44pm
just last week you were advising him, this week you are exposing his true character. Can you really believe that someone with an arrogant black and white thinking, like this retired cricketer does not cease to display, could have benefitted from your advice just a week ago?
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Nov 03, 2014 01:52pm
If IK was of dark complexion, he would have been behind the bars for treason and will not have had underage girls openly expressing their desire to marry him. Pakistan is a racist society and it is because of that reason they make fun of Makranis and characters like this retired cricketer can do what he has been doing for the last few years.
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Nov 03, 2014 01:52pm
Does this guy appear on Mr Sharifs favorite news channel?
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Nov 03, 2014 02:04pm
There might be many things I don't agree with PTI over.
But I will still vote for them over PPP and PMLN anyday. These 2 parties have fooled the nation many times.
I want to give IK a chance
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Nov 03, 2014 02:08pm
@Mohsin It is a very convincing article by Babar Sattar...........he has very rightly convinced PTI leaders and supporters to make PTI an institution rather an a group or cult.......make it a tru democratic party............for Pakistan only.
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Nov 03, 2014 02:08pm
agreed with all laws which our constitution has provide us ,,, Can our laws allow PM speak lie in front of ALL elected member of assembly. Does our laws allow us to kill pregnant woman in front of all unknown man ? does it allows our chief justice to involve in rigging ? Our all laws fails in front of feudalism.??
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Nov 03, 2014 02:13pm
Let IK be, what harm is he bringing to the country, you people are talking as if millions and millions of investment was coming and it all stopped just because of him. Not a day goes by when we do not see an article criticizing him, he is breaking law fine, what about all those who have never abided by any law for decades, no tax collection, no trade, no health and education, children dying of malnutrition, what is happening in Thar, it is a public health tragedy, but no sir I do not see a single article coming out on the subject. All these so called intellectuals please find other things which are going far beyond repair and highlight them and stop IK bashing, there are so many other problems to deal with.
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Nov 03, 2014 02:18pm
when laws are written to favor the rich and powerful, what is the option left with good people. Everyone knows that Article 225 was included by Bhutto to pave way for his future rigging endeavours. What justification is left for Mr Babar to still insist on it's implementation once it can't serve the purpose in current case
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Nov 03, 2014 02:36pm
Totally agree.
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Nov 03, 2014 02:43pm
One has to consider that authoritarianism is part of muslim Umma's DNA...IK being no exception. Perhaps that is one reason democracy does not take root in muslim countries. Our entire history is a testament to this.
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Nov 03, 2014 02:57pm
Miles to go before IK learns.
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Nov 03, 2014 03:03pm
All valid points by the author but I would still give PTI the benefit of the doubt and would still consider PTI a democratic party compared to the dynastic parties. PML is obviously playing a game here otherwise the Speaker could have taken steps under 43(2)(b) to conduct an inquiry to determine the "genuineness and voluntary nature" of the resignations.
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Nov 03, 2014 03:10pm
You are not naive to understand the third world country Pakistan. Here things are not as straight or as you are saying. In Pak if you dont have money you have no access to justice. Our system is highly corrupt and need to overhaul it by method IMran adopted. It is not IK found some new unlawful method but its the way in Pak where you have to justice system, Where supreme court judge can pass order to make happy to some people.
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Nov 03, 2014 03:18pm
i say put down PTI once and for all. enough of PTI and enough insensible words, actions and manupilations as well as ill mannerism from this group.
i am all for putting pressure on PTI as it is part of politics, i wish they would behave and prove smarter and intelligent that would be the REAL change. rather than this change that khan has brought - he can "keep the change"
PTI needs to be cut down to size which is basically a few seats in the NA. if that means that PTI needs a new leader a new kaptain... so be it.
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Nov 03, 2014 03:35pm
Greed and selfishness in human nature divert its direction. Party rules are made to maintain uniformity and discipline. Moral ethics demand to follow party instructions as members very existance and statues is the result of party alegience, support. When most of candidates lost their election due to male practice and rigging it's elected colleagues responsibly to stand by party to get justice. To stick with greed and defy party stance on rigging don't allow PTI dissent members to retain NA seat. Statutes alone have not got binding force English norms are the back bone of parliamentary system which mostly based on ethics.
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Nov 03, 2014 03:44pm
@Mariam
Babar has done a first class job of putting facts in black and white. You have been fooled twice and now you are going to fool yourself the third time by giving Imran a chance; a chance? You do not run countries by " chance"; you take chances at roulette, you take chances at cricket matches, sometimes they take chances when selecting spouses etc but you do not take chances when it is a matter of survival of countries, for God's sake! I pose a simple question and let your conscience do the talking. Has he proven that he has in 18 months done anything worth his salt in KPK ? Do you really think that when Imran speaks so repetitively without any substance and making tall promises which he knows and you know, no one without a magic wand can fulfill. When he makes accusations left, right and centre without any proofs, you seem to think he is right; are you not being unfair to yourself? In my view ever since the creation of this beautiful land, some foul play always took place and so it did happen this time. Please analyze it yourself by keeping the figures in front of you, you might come to the conclusion, as I did, that it would not have made any material difference to PTI and Imran Khan himself! If you agree with even one of my points, wouldn't you think that he tells lies at his convenience and therefore he is a dishonest person? Pray inform me if in your considered opinion, he should become the PM without any mandate or legal or constitutional backing. And should by some chance you happen to agree with me, is he not being power-hungry? I also wish to request you to put me wise if he went to Oxford to play county cricket or to study.
I ask you this because I do not know And I was told that he did not do any acadamics at Oxford. You see an educated man is normally neither arrogant nor ignorant and further that "it is not I,I,I and me, me and me with an educated and disciplined mind. I will be happy to hear your point of view as openly as I trust you have done with my thoughts
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Nov 03, 2014 03:58pm
Another hidden electricity surcharge on consumers' bills, no reduction of oil prices despite the prices in Intl. market went to record low, increase in wheat prices, FBR missing their targets and many more... are some of the fruits of democracy ()paki-version) in our country.
Next meeting with IMF in Abu Dhabi would bring more misery to our already hungry and starved nation... Stay tuned!
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Nov 03, 2014 04:00pm
The words would make sense if country was governed by these man made code or laws. For now the Sharifs tyranny needs to be ended and his end will justify the means.
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Nov 03, 2014 04:01pm
Imran should think about what babar has advised , We really want change , we are tired of dynastic politics , But in the hate of dynastic politics we can't afford political dictatorship. Imran is well educated , proud to be oxford return , in fact he has lost his mind. We are witness of his intolerance , He should have worked for strengthening democracy and parliament instead of resigning from the national assembly ,people elected their members to raise their issues at parliament forum ,we were expecting remedies of regular problems/ ills .Still , we are hopeful , Imran can do something for deprived nation if he get rid off expired politicians. His politics is going to be failed because Shaikh Rasheed and other seasoned politicians have trickily surrounded PTI. New faces in PTI have pushed back , We dont see Murad Saeed since long on media .Finally I would like to request I.K ,kindly consider the political environment and circumstances , join the parliament , do desired business at the forum , you will win next election if you could do what we have had expected.
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Nov 03, 2014 04:03pm
I will vote for PTI...
don't care if the World falls on me.STOP
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Nov 03, 2014 04:39pm
where is yr think tank .............. oot seen justice Wajihuddin in a long while
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Nov 03, 2014 04:50pm
@Ahmad R. Shahid ............... and so are you despite seeing two blinds in 50 years and yet crying in one line. learn something better to say and put some cut-paste effort or learn from your PM.
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Nov 03, 2014 04:50pm
@Mohsin ................... you are not far away from kh saad.
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Nov 03, 2014 04:56pm
my humble advice if Imran wants to succeed...Change your opinions, keep to your principles; change your leaves, keep intact your roots and keep your morals. Any one you take on board should have the same values....never ever mix good with evil even if the cost is high... in long run you will benefit...
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Nov 03, 2014 05:19pm
People elected Imran Khan as a prime minister of Pakistan in the last years election. He has the mandate to sort out things in his country.
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Nov 03, 2014 05:21pm
- IK was asking for justice for 14 months on an issue of national importance (i.e rigged elections).
- Justice delayed is justice denied. Doomed are the societies that have rampant injustice. Doomed are the societies that have one set of rules for rich and influentials and another for poor and feeble.
- And the worthy writer has prefered to highlight the illegalities of the oppressed who have resorted to street protest, as the last step against their stolen mandate.
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Nov 03, 2014 05:37pm
boss- you completely missed the point, didnt you ? We r talking about a fake mandate here.
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Nov 03, 2014 06:00pm
PTI is the only legitimate force standing against the looters and all corrupt politicians..no surprise why the entire parliament is on one side and Imran on the other.
The writer sees the Imran's way to oust PM illegit - but absolutely ignores the sense of entitlement PMLN has reserved for itself - no case against model town murderers, no accountability for its corruption and ineptness.
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Nov 03, 2014 06:16pm
Excellent post mortem of PTI
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Nov 03, 2014 06:23pm
PTI is no more or no less than all the other parties that we have seen in Pakistan since it's formation. IK is no angel just as Nawaz, the Bhutto and the Chaudhries are. He has shown signs already that "I" will do this and that and that, another "I" specialist. Can someone comment on his style of leadership in cricket?
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Nov 03, 2014 07:06pm
Well thought article, as always.
I hope IK reads this and reconsiders his plan if action. It's still not too late. IK, whose intentions are right, need to learn humility and have more people like Babar around him instead of Shah Mahmood/sheikh Rasheed.
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Nov 03, 2014 07:28pm
Mr. Sattar - you included your own counter argument within the first few paragraphs of your article:
"The speaker might be a PML-N loyalist and there might be doubts regarding the veracity of his own election to parliament."
The assembly is fake. The speaker is fake. The PM is fake. PTI party policy calls for resignations of its parliamentarians. People who disagree are free to go back to the parliament benches like the three that have left. However under no cicumstances will a fake speaker appointed by a fake parliament challenge the integrity of politicians willing to take a stand against a fradulent election.
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Nov 03, 2014 07:33pm
IK thinks like a cricketer whose sole aim is to win the current match. The real world, especially the world of politics is different. You must learn to navigate the gray areas and learn to pick and choose your battles. Additionally making tall claims does not help either.
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Nov 03, 2014 07:38pm
@Zahid How come you never noticed the burning and looting of private property by PML-N and PPP when they go out to protest. Imran has set another good tradition of holding peaceful protest where people protested and went home unhurt
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Nov 03, 2014 07:40pm
@Hassan yes people elected Imran khan as PM on Pakistan on Facebook only not in real life, wake up man
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Nov 03, 2014 07:41pm
I would say NO SENSE of entitlement
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Nov 03, 2014 08:21pm
@ i think constitution is the only document all citizens and province are have consensus. Health, education and every thing comes after that. If we dont follow it country will become another iraq, syria or somalia.
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Nov 03, 2014 08:27pm
@Nv two wrong can not make one right. If PPP and NS was wrong doing all these things IK is also wrong.
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Nov 03, 2014 08:55pm
Are all the politicians in including Nawaz Sharif and family, Zardari and group paying the due taxes and abide by the law? PTI follow the adage "Do as the romans do" Why dispute?
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Nov 03, 2014 09:11pm
I'm big fan of you even if doesn't matter you criticize PTI for nothing I'm totally disagree with you and you don't think so you should write on what impact leave by PTI dharna all the prices comes down because of pressure that build Imran Khan PTI ever you saw in previous last 5 years when PMLN was doing job of opposition did they demand like that what PTI did offcours not, did you highlight that I'm really sorry to say not.Finally I'm only to say PTI is doing politics for the people of Pakistan not for them. that what biggest change even seen in the history of 68 years of Pakistani politics.
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Nov 03, 2014 09:26pm
@Waleed Baig So Imran khan is ONLY "genius" who can define what is "rule of law"?? nobody is even ALLOWED to differ from his opinion??
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Nov 03, 2014 09:38pm
Heartening to read all the comments, and reassuring to know that Dawn's readers are uncommonly astute at discerning knowledge of the law from the knowledge of leadership and change.
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Nov 03, 2014 09:50pm
The land of the strongest laws in the world, the united states was born out of lawlessness. If Americans had followed the laws, they would still be a British colony. Pakistan's laws are unfair, courts are corrupt and that is the reason we must revolt against this system. A day will come when we have an equitable and fair legal system, but not without a rebellion.
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Nov 03, 2014 09:52pm
@Aamir
Who is the judge ? All justice is available to PTI , the problem is that the Party chief want to be a judge an jury himself. So that he should decide all questions. I hope it does not happen.
The rule in civilised societies is that the member for the Assembly gives his judgement on issues on behalf of his/her constituents. If they are at odds with the Party they have been elected with they should resign and seek election. The proposition PTI is proposing is unique and undemocratic.
Can we expect democracy progress in the hands of such a Party? The honest answer is resounding NO.
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Nov 03, 2014 10:09pm
Why is there a surprise? With Imran Khan, the man who feels entitled to Prime Ministership and ruling the country by himself alone; how could party speak up when most of them are "hangers-on." Cyreil Almeda so beautifully and completely analysed the make up and the pschy of the PTI in his column just a day or so before. Imran Khan is so focused on being the PM that nothing else registers on him. For him, the end justifies the means. He will destroy the fragile Pakistani Democracy if that's what it takes him to become PM. He doesn't care.
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Nov 03, 2014 10:51pm
All I ever hear from PTI is 'no,no,no' on everything. I have never heard them saying'yes,yes,yes' on anything. Even when Zarb e Azb started, we heard them saying 'no,no.' It has started to paint a very negative image of PTI and a very unhappy one.
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Nov 04, 2014 12:24am
A wonderful advice for IK
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Nov 04, 2014 12:26am
in resigning matter i think those who don't want to resign their MNA seats should also declared as other three PTI MNAs and be clear in their stance in front of the people. they must not be Hippocrates as they want to be in the party and also doesn't want to obey their party decision.
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Nov 04, 2014 12:37am
I disagree with the writer since PTI is a one man show. Therefore it is important that Imran be a powerful PM once he get the chance. We need change of faces now at the top
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Nov 04, 2014 01:07am
Its funny that entire Pakistan can shout "GO NAWAZ GO" but is illegal to say "GO IMRAN GO" and for that he will kick out his own party member?? ... and he calls himself a democratic????
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Nov 04, 2014 01:59am
@Dr. Sadaf well said, i second to you.
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Nov 04, 2014 02:00am
A PhD is needed to understand Asif Ali Zardari, not law or constitution but a bit honesty and sincerity is needed to understand Imran Khan and his ways of doing thins.
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Nov 04, 2014 03:07am
Well written but IK is too adamant to hear any sane voice
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Nov 04, 2014 04:44am
@Kiterunner5 to say somebody GO who never COME. On party member who said that he was financed by PML-N with the money they too from I.M.F. The True & the Honest P.M is only crap and lover of India and one day he will pay for it and you will see
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Nov 04, 2014 05:47am
Because PTI is led by an egoistic idiot.
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Nov 04, 2014 06:25am
@Arif You are the one who missed the point. Those were real elections with real voters. So stop this charade of "fake mandate". The only thing fake, as anyone with an ounce of common sense can see, is the "tsunami" of support that Imran Khan, with his sick mind, continues to claim he has.
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Nov 04, 2014 06:36am
Irrespective of the number of votes it gets, its a joke of a party.
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Nov 04, 2014 06:50am
I feel we need to be mindful of the fact that these political parties (PML N and PPPP etc) are very good at keeping themselves happy and satisfied with money and power and do not have the ability to feel empathy/ understanding of the plight of ordinary Pakistanis. Pakistanis are burning in abject poverty while the zardari, fazlurahmans and sharifs enjoy the best life has on offer from a materialistic point of view. It is a very comfortable and luxurious existence for these 'leaders' who wish to save democracy and keep the armed forces at bay ( and I think the generals are the flip side of the same coin too). My point is, any person with a real concern to save this country and bring change will look very very worried and will feel extremely ashamed at their own luxurious existence if their concern for the 'people' was genuine.
All these political parties are franchises and enterprises.
I feel Imran Khan might give some hope ( but you never know, he might be another zardari or this absurdity bilawal bhutto zardari in the making). But still at this point in time, there is a chance, he might not be so.
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Nov 04, 2014 06:57am
@Masood Khan If he is a dictator we welcome him as he is way better than our all politicians. Do we have any other option?
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Nov 04, 2014 09:29am
@Aamir
U can go UN, what justice PTI needs with 34 seats not enough to form a governmnet. Shame on you and IK for the all the troubles Pakistan iss going through for all the wrong reason.
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Nov 04, 2014 09:30am
@CSP
That's what PTI with 34 seats in NA deserve!
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Nov 04, 2014 09:31am
@ilyas
You break the law, then you supposed to go to jail.
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Nov 04, 2014 09:33am
@Abdulrehman
Because, you are under IK's cult's influence that you cannot see beyond IK, and that is what's wrong with you!
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Nov 04, 2014 09:34am
@Kazim Shah
What thinns he has done beyond whining and accusing others.
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Nov 04, 2014 10:08am
It is very scary to think a man and his followers who think they are above the law should be allowed to rule.
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Nov 04, 2014 10:29am
@Ahmad R. Shahid PPP leaders were never blind, PTI leaders are blind too!
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Nov 04, 2014 11:10am
@Aamir at the cost of ?secondarily are all people or person in PTI saint.Are there no turn court or opportunist in this so called party of angles.What guarantee there is that they will not tread the same path.My only opinion is tha instead of dharnas and protest why not use the same revenue in portraying the development in KPK under PTI.
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Nov 04, 2014 11:14am
@Waleed Baig my dear Baig,i do not know your qualification but know that Sattar is lawyer and is known to be an authority on constitutional matters.
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Nov 04, 2014 12:00pm
106 comments already when I am adding one more. Your are an expert of Law - I am not. But what I have seen in my life of more than six decades, is the law is NOT same for some and others. Saad, a lawyer of Lahore has written about the apathy of our Judicial system in The Nation Lahore and "Judges are NOT writing what they should" said the PM on a visit to Karachi. If the Government puts containers for whatever purposes, is legal but if a political party puts them is not. Much has been said about the VIP culture to the annoyance of the common man and flight delays for VIPs. IK is trying to say same in his agitations.
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Nov 04, 2014 02:20pm
Dear Writer,
You write with great logic and wisdom and I really appreciate it.
However, I am not sure what has happened once a value-based community of Pakistan. We are taught by parents to hold huge value for truthfulness, kindness, wisdom, and likewise values and so should be based our liking and disliking and friendship, affiliation, etc.
The whole Imran Khan's saga is illogical, unethical, and showing how badly our society has gone down. The support for Imran khan is just blind, and revolution he can bring can be I sum as follows:
Look how brilliantly and enthusiastically ( call it as unprecedented but without any spur of truth n logic) Imran presents the "STAGE" of 'change' for the NATION. Since Imran is a great fan of Iqbal the Great, who has given a clear verdict about his 'STAGE - with musical instruments (as core n crux of the stage) as follows;
Aa tuj ko batoon main taqdeer ummam kia hay
shasheer wo sanaa awaal, taoss wo rubab akkhir
Let me tell u the story of rise and fall of nations,
the nations gain the rise with hardship and sacrifice and they fall down (morally and potlically n by all means) when they indulge in music and else.
This is the verdict of Iqbal the great, so please PTI's memebrs should not chase me as hunting dogs with abuse and bad langauge. I belong to no party and only I seek and wish the peace, properity and goodness of my beloved Country which is at stake and badly ruined due to Imran khan. i am surprised how some vested interests have given him a FALSE RISE -- not the one he claims under Iqbal's vision ( poor Imran, has no real idea about Iqbal vision).
Kind Regards
Dr Khan
on his speeches. Any person of wisdom and prudence
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Nov 04, 2014 02:22pm
Why these sophisticated lawyers wax poetic on the niceties of law when it comes to an opposition protesting party who couldn't get justice, but forget that the ruling parties have been breaking law and playing with law for the last 60 years?
if the respected writer spends this much effort on criticizing the real culprits, he might have affected the reality in a better way.
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Nov 04, 2014 03:10pm
@Hassan
There could be nothing further from the truth. Imran has convinced himself and some of his followers that he had the mandate; if he choses to live in a fool's paradise, my comment is "happy living"! Apart from him there is no honest person in the country. Even if that be as it might , honesty must be accompanied by vision and capability
and which two requisites are totally missing and that is why he would only be used and never make it for himself.
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Nov 04, 2014 03:25pm
I strongly subscribe to the views of Mr. Babar Sattar but would also like to add to it. It’s not just PTI that portrays a sense of entitlement to be treated preferentially. Tehrik Insaf is not as bad as TTP. All it is doing is showing the people of Pakistan the real image of its leadership. The contents of IK speech reinforce the informal rule of our society i.e. “MIGHT IS RIGHT” and “POWER FLOWS FROM THE BARREL OF THE GUN”. Anyone who talks this logic is dismissed and laughed at, but it is still undeniable reality of our society.
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Nov 04, 2014 03:26pm
In the ‘LAND OF PURE” everyone who sits in a position of authority believes that he has the right to be treated preferentially and the “LAW” is nothing but what he believes so. From the Member of Parliament, SP sahib, DC sahib, Commissioner Sahib, Secretary Sahib, tehsildar Sahib, patwari Sahib, naib qasid Sahib, and the list goes on. There has been a recent addition to the above list i.e. JUDGE SAHIB, Wakeel Shahib. Tehrik Insaf after all has restorted to Dharna when no one gave a fair hearing to Tehrek e Insaf at any forum including the corridors of justice.
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Nov 04, 2014 03:26pm
I will not comment on the justice that they hand over to the public lest I might be convicted of contempt of court, but wonder in utter shock and disappointment that the Chief Justice of Pakistan and Chief Justice of the provinces sit blind on the involvement of one District and Sessions Judge, D.I. Khan, Mr. Mohammad Rauf Khan of Karak. It’s not difficult to gauge the quality of justice that will be delivered in the corridors of justice.
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Nov 04, 2014 03:26pm
It has been now 6 years that the victims of this Judge are trying to get one/single impartial and objective hearing and decision from the Chief Justice of KP and Chief Justice of Supreme Court but have not been able to do so. The victim (who is the Uncle of the said District and Sessions Judge) has been begging before one court to another, but no outcome. The victim wrote applications to the Directorate of Human Rights Cell, Supreme Court but it seems to me that Chief Justice of KP and Supreme Court has no time to personally attend to such applications. Apart from that the lower staff at these Human Rights Cell dumps any application against District and Sessions Judge D. I. Khan because the said District and Sessions Judge might render them a favour in a bail or injunction order or in any civil or criminal case. The other resort is to file a Writ Petition before High Court KP. Filing a Writ Petition in these High Courts is a night mare.
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Nov 04, 2014 03:26pm
Because the said District and Sessions Judge has the power flowing from the District and Session Judge Chair, the staff at KP High Court schedules the Writ Petition before (the Judge of High Court who is usually approached by District and Sessions Judge D.I.Khan) that the said D& SJ wants and fix it on Cause List for a date that he wants.. Apparently, the current Chief Justice of KP who has been a lawyer in District D. I. Khan was approached by Mr. Muhammad Rauf District and Sessions Judge through his office and got himself off the hook in an inquiry.
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Nov 04, 2014 03:27pm
In another petition for the transfer of case from the court of District and Sessions Judge Karak to some other court in the Province (because the said D& SJ Karak was openly favouring his brother Judge D& SJ D.I.Khan) one justice of the KP High Court dismissed the petition on the ground that because the individual is D& SJ D.I. Khan therefore he knows every judge in the province and will influence any judge in the whole province. It is therefore not feasible to transfer the case from the court of District and Sessions Judge Karak to any other court. In lay man language the Honourable Judge of KP High Court was saying that there was not a single judge in the whole District Judiciary of the province who had the integrity to resist the influence of Mr. Mohammad Rauf Khan D& SJ District D. I. Khan. Therefore, there is no use to contest the transfer petition. Again the said Honourable Justice was a Justice from District D. I. Khan and was influenced by Mr. Mohammad Rauf District and Sessions Judge D. I. Khan.
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Nov 04, 2014 06:53pm
@jamal khurshid
There is no room for a wise man among clowns. Perhaps he does not wish to associate his name with PIT any more!
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Nov 05, 2014 07:44am
Dear and very respectful Babar Sattar sahib, I agree with each and every word of your column and it is important that we have analytical people like yourself and your advice/suggestion should be taken as constructive criticism by PTI and its supporters like myself. I thank you for your words of wisdom. Your opinion can only help improve things and there is always room for improvement. I believe that we have to keep supporting PTI and also keep PTI in line with constructive criticism. However on the other hand we are faced with a regime that has come into power through rigging and IK exhausted all possible avenues before resorting to street protests. Do you really think if he sits quietly in the so called Parliament, PML-N and PPP would work with him to do the necessary election reforms to ensure fair and free elections in 2018. Wouldn't that be a death sentence to these two parties and others like them. Why would they ever sign their death warrant. Why would these two parties help establish an effective Accountability System. Wouldn't that be an end to their politics and this is the point that I am trying to make with you. Sometimes when we focus on small things we always miss the big picture. Yes PTI and IK might not be perfect but I believe PTI is the best option we have got right now to fight the corrupt politicians of status quo. All of us who want the best for our country and our next generations should strengthen IK's hands with whatever and however we can. There is no other leadership in Pakistan at the moment that can be trusted with the future of Pakistan. Is there any ?
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Nov 05, 2014 12:20pm
It is sad that this piece has come from Mr Sattar. I am astonished by his thinking and argument and his effort to somehow equate IK and PTI with thugs like NS. We all know the principles on which NS politics is based. These are principles of lies, deceit. bribery, corruption. Nepotism and cronyism. There is no where in constitution where it says that MNA need to meet speaker individually to confirm the resignation. Furthermore if you deal with the thugs in a civilised way then IK will end up like Asghar Khan and will achieve nothing. These thugs will need to be removed with force and then establish rule of law on the land. As lpng as they are in power they will use every means to tarnish IK and good people like him.
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Nov 05, 2014 11:31pm
Mr. Sattar, Is there some article of the constitution saying that elections should be fair???
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Nov 06, 2014 12:23pm
Still above the law the tax evader Prime Minister of Pakistan.
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Nov 06, 2014 12:46pm
@pathanoo : You are mistaken. I say this with all my conviction. Open your eyes the truth is in front of you.
Its all around. Nawaz is a tax evader. Shahbaz says he has nothing to do with the Lahore Model Town Massacre.
Open the window let the light come in the dark recess of your soul so filled with arrogance and pride. How can a self respecting man support those who have looted the nation and transferred its wealth abroad.
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Nov 06, 2014 12:49pm
@Ghulam Rabbani : Imran was Captain for 10 years. In 10 years after him the position of Captain changed 35 times.
Yes he is the only honest man in Pakistan after you.
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Nov 06, 2014 07:58pm
Imran is playing political cricket.Never trust him.
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Nov 07, 2014 03:55am
@muhammad khan Two wrongs can never makes it right
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