PML (Q) to support resolution on judges reinstatement

ISLAMABAD : Pakistan Muslim League (Q) has finally decided to support the parliamentary resolution over the restoraion of deposed judges, the APS has learnt through reliable party sources.
This move would be an 180-degree turn from the party’s earlier stated stance over the judges restoraion.
The PML (Q)-led government not only had supported the filing of a reference against Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry on March 9, 2007, but also its ministers and legislators had enthusiastically defended the reference in the parliament and also on the national and international media.
Later, the party had also endorsed the imposition of emergency and the PCO through a parliamentary resolution soon after the incidents of Novermber 3, 2007. This step had resulted into sacking of around 60 judges of superior courts.
The sources claimed that Parliamentary Party meeting of PML (Q) observed three consecutive sittings at the residence of Party President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain to discuss the judges issue.
“During the sittings, most of the MNAs of the party blasted the party leadership for tailing the ‘anti-masses’ policies of ‘others’ and asked the party President to ‘pay heed to the aspirations of the nmasses in the larger interest of the party,” said the sources.
Senator S.M. Zafar also breiefed the meeting on Tuesday over the possible features of the parlimanetary resolution for judges reinstatement.
Party sources claimed that most of the MNAs who spoke over the judges issue at the parliamentary meetings were of the view that the party should support the parliamentary resolution to restore the deposed judges.
The legislators called for “shift in the party stance” over the judges issue saying that “the party should represent the public sentiments and not of those who have relationship with establishment”, said the sources.
Mostly young MNAs including Sheikh Waqas Akram, Malik Nouman Lengriyal, Raza Hayat Heraj, Marvi Memon, Dr. Donia Aziz, Nasrullah Bajarani and Israr Tareen were vocal in this regard while some senior and seasoned politicians including Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada, Bahadur Khan Seehar, Riaz Fatyana and others also endorsed the idea, added the sources.
“Let us return to the true democratic course. Being a political party, the PML should uphold the public aspirations over the issues of national significance. It would not only strengthen the party but also would enable it to represent the public in the parliament,” said the sources.
When contacted, MNA from Layyah Sardar Bahadur Khan Seehar confirmed that the party had finally decided to support the parliamentary resolution for the judges restoration.
“On Wednesday, the parliamentary party had its final sitting whether or not to support the parliamenatry resolution and almost all the MNAs gave their input over the issue. Though some legislators thought that any decision should be taken once the resolution is tabled, the party finally decided to support the resolution,” he said.
When asked what would be the party’s decision if the resolution also carries a constituitional package to curtail the term of Chief Justice, Seehar said the party would take any decision once such a package is tabled in the House.
PML President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain had hinted at the development at a press conference on Tuesday saying that the party would not oppose judges restoration.
“We do not oppose judges restoration and rather want resolution of the judges issue in line with the public sentiments and aspirations,” he had said after chairing the PML (Q) Parliamentary Party meeting.
Ch. Shujaat had also made it clear that he was never opposed to the judges restoration and it was upto the ruling coalition to decide how many judges would be restored and when.