While civil society in Punjab overwhelmingly welcomed the Supreme Court's decision to disqualify and unseat former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, Violent protests against power outages continued on Tuesday. Members of the civil society, especially the legal fraternity, said: " This landmark decision will strengthen state institutions, democracy and the rule of law in the country."
Talking to Business Recorder here on Tuesday, former president of the Supreme Court Bar Association Akram Shaikh said: "The Supreme Court's verdict is a significant step towards the evolution of democracy in Pakistan. The PPP government, which had tried to achieve political martyrdom, has been restrained from achieving this objective." Criticising the PPP government, he said that overcoming the power crisis was beyond its capabilities.
The safest way to get the country out of "this massive mess is to hold fresh elections under a neutral set up as per 18th and 20th Amendment to the Constitution". Paying tribute to the legal fraternity, media and the people of Pakistan for standing by the Supreme Court to foil the "rulers' attempts to defame, blackmail and discourage the independence of the superior judiciary".
Former SCBA secretary Raja Zulqarnain said that the apex had once again lived up to the nation's expectations. "There is no crisis as all civil institutions are working in accordance with the Constitution. Besides the court has directed the President to set the democratic process in motion for electing a new Prime Minister."
PML-N's spokesperson Siddiqul Farooque said that the apex court had accepted his party's contention that Yousuf Raza Gilani had been disqualified the he was convicted by a seven-member Supreme Court bench. He said the verdict had paved the way for the trial of PPP- Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari and all other corrupt leaders who had amassed wealth and fleeced the nation.
Farooq said that PML-N was not fielding its candidate for election to the office of the Prime Minister. "The PPP has lost its mandate and the moral authority to rule the country after this judgement," he added,. Also on Twitter, people are expressing their views with regard to the prevailing political impasse. One Twitter post said: "Could it be an end of PPP Government? Any possibility that new proposed PM could not get votes required from parliament??? Can MQM, ANP, JUI-F or Fata members ditch govt at this stage?"
Another said: "All said and done, the PPP has to bow before the fait accompli. Its stubbornness has brought doom to PM Gilani. But rest assured Shah has done well as far as plundering the exchequer and doling out employment to his cronies...and he should be satisfied on this account." "The gentleman (Gilani) was ridiculing the Supreme Court after his conviction like he had conquered Pakistan and become its emperor. Others should take a lesson and shun following in his footsteps. One can only regret Gilani for his arrogance in the footprints of PPP founder ZA Bhutto who said 'My chair is strong enough to sustain' and he was pulled out like a fry from the pan."
Abdul Jabbar Faisal said in his Twitter post: "There is not one percent chance of changing the life of the common man, who is facing countless problems including living his life with peace, respect and honour. "There is not one percent chance for reducing the prices of vegetables, fruits, milk, oil and other items of daily use. Yes, another will replace Gilani to enjoy the life in the PM House and people will remain on roads for electricity and food."