Dangerous that state is unwilling to protect its own institutions: Rabbani

Published November 3, 2018
A File photo of Raza Rabbani, former Senate chairman.
A File photo of Raza Rabbani, former Senate chairman.

Former Senate chairman Raza Rabbani on Saturday lamented the state's decision to give in to the demands of and enter an agreement with those who had "provoked the nation against the army and judiciary".

After three days of violent protests across Pakistan, the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) on Friday reached an agreement with the federal and Punjab governments under which the latter will initiate the process to put the name of Asia Bibi — who has been acquitted by the Supreme Court of blasphemy charge — on the Exit Control List (ECL) and refrain from objecting to review of the court judgement

The agreement, which came days after Prime Minister Imran Khan had unequivocally warned protesters to "not clash with the state", disappointed Rabbani a great deal.

"It is unfortunate that the state of Pakistan is under the rule of combatants," the senior PPP leader said in a statement. "The Constitution and the law are being moulded according to the wishes of these warlords. Quaid-i-Azam would be rolling over in his grave."

Rabbani felt that the state was unable to perform its job, saying: "The public is being provoked against the judges who ruled as per the law. Those who provoked the army to mutiny are given reassurances. The state failed to take action against those who issued provocations."

The PPP stalwart warned that the fallout of a state that allows its writ to be challenged is "very severe".

"This is very dangerous that the state is not willing to safeguard its own institutions," he said. "In these circumstances, no judge or special court would dare to give a verdict against terrorists. The confidence of the common man gets eroded this way."

Opinion

Editorial

Economic plan
Updated 02 Jan, 2025

Economic plan

Absence of policy reforms allows the bureaucracy a lot of space to wriggle out of responsibility.
On life support
02 Jan, 2025

On life support

PAKISTAN stands at a precarious crossroads as we embark on a new year. Pildat’s Quality of Democracy report has...
Harsh sentence
02 Jan, 2025

Harsh sentence

USING lawfare to swiftly get rid of political opponents makes a mockery of the legal system, especially when ...
Looking ahead
Updated 01 Jan, 2025

Looking ahead

The dawn of 2025 brings with it hope of a more constructive path to much-needed stability.
On the front lines
Updated 01 Jan, 2025

On the front lines

THE human cost of terrorism in 2024 was staggering. The ISPR reports 383 officers and soldiers embraced martyrdom...
Avoiding reform
01 Jan, 2025

Avoiding reform

PAKISTAN’S economic growth significantly slowed down to a modest 0.92pc during the first quarter of the present...