PESHAWAR: Leaders of various political parties have hailed the Supreme Court’s decision to set aside the National Assembly deputy speaker’s ruling against the no-trust motion against the prime minister and insisted that the verdict would strengthen democratic institutions in the country.

In separate statements issued here on Friday, Awami National Party president Asfandyar Wali Khan, Qaumi Watan Party chairman Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao, Pakistan Peoples Party provincial president Najamuddin Khan, Pakistan Muslim League provincial president Amir Muqam said the apex court had truly upheld the rule of law through its verdict on no-trust issue.

The ANP chief said the court’s decision was the victory of democracy and political parties and that it proved that no one was above the law.

He said the democracy-loving nation couldn’t tolerate dictatorial steps taken by a civilian government, so it welcomed the court’s decision on no-confidence issue.

Political leaders hail rejection of NA deputy speaker’s ruling on matter

Mr Asfandyar said violators of the Constitution should be punished under the law to prevent such violations in the future.

He said the court’s decision proved that the doctrine of necessity had been buried forever.

QWP chief Aftab Sherpao also welcomed the restoration of the National Assembly and the Supreme Court’s order to hold voting on the no-trust motion.

He added that it was a historic decision and a victory for the rule of law and democracy.

Mr Sherpao said the Supreme Court’s decision would help restore the confidence of the people in the superior judiciary and the rule of law.

He added that the verdict would add to the prestige of the judiciary.

The QWP leader said the decision of the apex court had strengthened the narrative of the opposition parties, which was striving for the rule of law and the Constitution.

He said nobody would dare trample the Constitution and rule of law in future and that the Supreme Court’s decision would help uphold rule of law in the country.

“This decision has proved that the president had taken an unconstitutional step by dissolving the National Assembly on the advice of the prime minister,” he said.

Mr Sherpao said under the law, the president could not dissolve the National Assembly when the no-trust motion against the prime minister was submitted to the lower house of parliament.

He said the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government had created a political, constitutional and economic crisis in the country by taking illegal steps.

The QWP leader said Pakistani rupee had weakened considerable against the US dollar.

He added that the after the no-trust motion against the prime minister a new prime minister should be chosen to run the affairs of the country.

PML-N provincial president Amir Muqam described the Supreme Court’s verdict on no-confidence issue historical.

He said he hoped that the court’s decision would help strengthen democratic institutions in the country, saying that it was a lesson for the people playing with the Constitution for their ulterior motives.

PPP provincial president Najamuddin said the judgement of the apex court had empowered democratic institutions and pleased the people as it showed that no one was above the law.

He said the PTI government had made the life of the poor people miserable due to the economic crisis and unprecedented inflation.

Mr Najamuddin said the depreciation of Pakistani rupee had left the people with no option but to take to the roads to oust the incompetent government.

Published in Dawn, April 9th, 2022