Members of the Sindh Assembly (MPAs) belonging to Pakistan People's Party (PPP) censured Lahore High Court's (LHC) decision regarding President Zardari's dual office, saying that the country was heading towards a 'judicial rule.' The criticism of the LHC decision came at the end of the Sindh Assembly session, when deputy speaker Shehla Raza who was in the chair, allowed a PPP lawmaker, Nadeem Bhutto, to speak on a point of order, who flayed the LHC decision.
He said the same court had given verdicts against Z.A. Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto, saying that why every judgement is given against the PPP leaders. "When the military dictators were holding dual office, why the courts did not ask them to relinquish one," he questioned, saying that the a democratically-elected president is being asked to renounce one of the offices.
Bhutto said he was an elected representative and had just highlighted the people's sentiments on the issue. He said the matter of dual office should have been raised when the Asif Zardari was submitting his nomination papers for contesting presidential election.
Sindh Information Minister, Sharjeel Memon, called the judgement a reflection of a mindset against the PPP leaders and said history was repeated. He said the verdict had come from there, which has an anti-PPP mindset. He said he had no regrets of rejecting the court decision and did not care for "contempt of court". He warned that conspiracy against PPP should be stopped and vowed to stick to the party's principal stand on politics being a federal political party.
PPP MPA Muhammad Rafiq Engineer said the political parties should have also the right to debate judicial verdicts, as law experts and media did. He said whenever the political parties tried to debate the verdicts, it was termed contempt of the courts, whereas media and law experts continued debating these decisions.
He said the court's decision was seen a move to depoliticize the nation, saying the country was already facing external security threats and such judgements would weak Pakistan internally. He said the LHC judgement had disappointed the nation, adding "will Sindh always get such decision from there." He said the PPP government wanted to strengthen Pakistan. Rafiq asked the judiciary whether it wanted to depoliticise the country.
He said the nation was heading toward a 'judicial rule' in the country. He said the PPP government was standing by the Pakistan Army. Sindh Education Minister Pir Mazharul Haq said a resolution would be tabled in Sindh Assembly on Monday against the LHC judgement.
He termed the judgement "historically unprecedented". He said it was not the jurisdiction of high court rather Supreme Court could give verdict on the issue. He said it is a mindset, which is prevailing from Z. A. Bhutto to until now. He termed the decision against the people of Pakistan.
Another PPP lawmaker, Bachal Shah called criticised the LHC decision. He opined there was no bar under Article 41 of the Constitution on holding dual offices. He said a political president would have to interact with politician. MQM legislators did not attend the Friday session of the Assembly while PML-Q leader left the session before the PPP members started their of LHC verdict. Provincial Minister and ANP MPA Amer Nawab also left the house befoe the discussion on LHC verdict.
Earlier, the house unanimously passed Sindh Travel Agencies Bill, 2011. Opposition leader, Jam Madad Ali sought to discuss PML-Q members' adjournment motion on census 2011, calling the issue significant in the Sindh's interest but failed to attain support from treasury side. Deputy speaker adjourned the session till Monday.