Afgan criticises verdict, judiciary

Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Sher Afgan on Thursday refused to accept the Supreme Court verdict to allow exiled former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to return home. "I do not accept the verdict as it is not from the Supreme Court.
The verdict is disappointing," Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Sher Afgan told a private television channel. Afgan said that workers of PML-N party of Mr Sharif were celebrating the verdict days before it was announced. "They were dancing and waving victory signs".
"I do not care if the Supreme Court charges me in contempt of court case over my remarks," he said. "The judiciary has become a party. The judiciary should adopt attitude of judiciary. The judiciary should launch its own justice party," he said.
The minister said that it is not the task of the Supreme Court to take notices to control traffic and check cleanliness campaigns. He asked the courts to take steps for the early disposals of cases.
Sher Afgan was critical at the announcement of verdict in the evening. "There was no justification to give verdicts at 5 pm" "Why the court did not wait for the arguments of the Attorney General?" he questioned.
"The few lines verdict is not from the Supreme Court but is from the public". He said he has no objection at the return of Nawaz Sharif but is against the disclosure of the verdict a week before it is announced. The minister was of the view that the verdict should not be given 'in haste as it is contrary to justice'. He said that the judiciary is taking the country towards confrontation.
The Minister refused to withdraw his remarks when anchor of the program asked that he may face contempt of court notice from the Supreme Court and that his remarks also create problems for the President and Prime Minister. "I will not withdraw my words even if I am sacked from the cabinet and if a contempt of court notice issued to me, it would be personal grudge," he said.
Sher Afgan said that Nawaz Sharif should not think that cases against him have ended. "He (Nawaz Sharif) will have to face all cases. He will have to pay for what he has done. "The law may send him into prison on his return," he said.
To a question he said that President Musharraf should continue as his supporters enjoy majority in the parliament. "President Musharraf will contest election in accordance with the constitution and he will win". To a question about any possibility of martial law or emergency, he said judiciary would be responsible if it happens.