From Abid Usman
LAHORE: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Wednesday approached the Lahore High Court (LHC) in a bid to remove Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his cabinet from office.
In a petition filed by the PTI leaders Andalib Abbas and Hassan Niazi, the federal government, the principal secretary to the PM, and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) amongst others were made parties to the case. The petition contended that money laundering cases against the premier are under hearing, meanwhile, he and his cabinet have met with proclaimed offenders during their London trip.
The PTI argued that in a “clear violation of the law”, PM Shehbaz included his son, Salman Shehbaz and his wife in the official visit to Turkey. “The prime minister is violating the Constitution by misusing his powers,” stated the petition.
Seeking the removal of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader from the premier’s office along with his cabinet, the petition also requested the LHC to order the caretaker prime minister to take over.
On May 11, PM Shehbaz along with the 10-member delegation of PML-N’s senior leadership had met the PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif in London to seek his counsel for overcoming the ongoing political, economic and constitutional crisis in the country.
Later, it was learnt that the party quaid had them swear their allegiance to him. Later that month, the premier, along with a high-level delegation, had gone on a three-day official visit to Turkey. Besides discussing the Pakistan-Turkey bilateral relations, the two leaders also exchanged views on regional and international issues.
Meanwhile, talking to media persons later in the day, former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry claimed that dismantling the federal government was no longer a big deal for the PTI.
“The federal [government] is on a ventilator and we can pull the plug whenever we want to,” he said.
The PTI leader bashed federal ministers Rana Sanaullah and Marriyum Aurangzeb for not respecting the apex court’s order. “The SC issued a verdict yesterday and today you are talking about governor’s rule in Punjab.
“I suggest you read the law on governor’s rule once so that you understand the conditions under which it can be imposed,” he said.
Talking about the SC’s ruling on Punjab CM elections, Chaudhry said that the apex court’s decision was historic.
“The judges had to endure political pressure and even threats. The way they have stood firm, such instances are rare in Pakistan.”
He continued that these were the same three judges who had passed a ruling three months ago which eventually led to Imran’s ouster as prime minister.
“We have a lot of reservations about that decision. But this doesn’t mean we will go against the courts.”
Chaudhry further suggested Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif should show “strength”, claiming that PML-N’s leadership had gone to pieces under pressure.
“We [PTI] have a core committee meeting in which we will decide on bringing a change in Islamabad,” he said, adding that the party was more interested in holding fresh elections and wanted to discuss electoral reforms with other political parties.
