The disqualification of Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani by Supreme Court disrupted the budget session proceedings of the Khyber Pakhtukhwa Assembly prompting the shocked Speaker Kiramatullah Khan to adjourn the proceedings of the house as protest.
The JUI-F Mufti Kifyatullah raised the issue of the disqualification of the prime minister, during the debate on cut motions. The Speaker, Kiramatullah Khan, who was presiding the session had earlier decided to pass all remaining 52 demands for grants on Tuesday.
The house has earlier passed only one more demand for grant for the department of Home Tribal Affairs and the second demand of Rs 913,010,000 was presented by the minister for jail. Mufti Kifyat termed the development as uncommon and could not be ignored. He said unfortunately democracy had never been allowed flourishing in Pakistan. He said that respect of judiciary is necessary, but parliament is supreme then what had happened today.
The JUI-F MPA said that constitution has set the parameters of all institutions and the crossing of these parameters by any institution is very unfortunate. The development, he said had surprised all democracy loving forces of the country. He said that institutions could not be sacrificed for individuals.
He said that since long rumours were high in the country and negative propaganda campaign was also carried out against President. He said that executive is being usurped of its powers. Mufti said that at the time of the movement for the restoration of judiciary half of the nation was on the other side. He said that Prime Minister has been declared disqualified, but, on the other side no suo-motto action has been taken against the Chief Minister Punjab, which is running the government on the basis of stay order.
Kifyatullah said that in light of the decision of the Supreme Court, the Prime Minister will have to go, but now the Chief Justice should also have to tender resignation to end confrontation amongst institutions. He said that instead of personalities, institutions should be saved. He said that the use of the executive powers by judiciary is not good omen for democracy in the country. He said that in past one prime minister was hanged and the office of the second was locked. However, he said that this time no dictator will be allowed to triumph on democracy and any such attempt will be resisted.
Mufti said that they are democratic people and urged all democratic forces to sit together to decide that what kind of democracy should be followed in Pakistan. The Speaker announced to suspend the proceedings for five minutes but after resuming the proceedings, Provincial Minister for Information, Mian Iftikhar Hussein requested the chair to adjourn the proceedings for one day.
Later talking to reporters, the PML-Q's Nighat Orakzai said that parliament is supreme institute and expressed surprise over the development. She said judiciary was restored in wake of nation-wide struggle and the decision was taken by the parliament, prime minister and President of Pakistan.
She warned that in case of the derailment of democracy it will be never restored. She urged all political party to sit aside their agenda and join hands for strengthening of democracy. She said that their party will sit to prepare line of action in this regard. She said that the acceptance of the decision by the ruling party and bringing of new prime minister will help improve situation.
Saqibullah Chamkani of ANP though said that he had yet to read the judgement, however, he acknowledged that the decision will leave severe negative impact on the federal budget. He said that as the decision has retrospective effects from April 26 then it will nullify the budget on which the prime minister had stamped signatures. He said the tussle of the institution had always left negative impact on democracy and democratic institutions in the country and the current confrontation will also leave its effects.