Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Wednesday rejected, what it stated, the "most inappropriate" language used in the judgment in review petition against Supreme Court's July 28 verdict in the Panama Papers case. In a strong-worded statement issued following a consultative meeting, chaired by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif here at Punjab House after an accountability court formally indicted the deposed PM in NAB references, the party stated that the language used in the verdict for the country's "most popular" leader, head of the major political party and a three time premier "does not fulfill the standards of any court's language in any way".
"According to legal and constitutional experts, the bench has not only tried to influence over the lower courts, but also announced decision on the right to appeal," it stated while reacting to the apex court's verdict on Sharif family's review petition in the Panama Papers case.
"The use of insulting phrases and derogatory remarks regarding Nawaz Sharif could in no way be a source of pride for any court," it stated, adding, "The judgment, from top to bottom, is awful example of prejudice, bigotry, anger and provocation".
It said that the judges have allegedly raised the question of "leadership" through the use of poetic phrases while "the nation knows that those in the leadership created Pakistan after numerous sacrifices, made this country a nuclear power, went to jails, lived in exile and went to gallows".
"So, the question is not of leadership but [deliverance] of justice...every child of the country knows who are "bandits" and how boats (caravan) have been looted for the last 70 years. The caravans were looted because those who were administered the oath of loyalty had joined hands with the bandits," the statement said while referring to role of courts in dictatorial regimes.
"To provide justification for the [rule of] bandits, 'doctrine of necessity' was created", it stated, adding judgments were issued in favour of the 'dictators' who played havoc with the Constitution.
"The leadership is there to get punishment, appear before the courts but the question is where the 'bandits' are?", it stated to respond to the 'question being raised on of the [civilian] leadership for the last 70 years'.
The meeting also resolved that Nawaz Sharif and his family acted upon the court decision without any hesitation but the language used against him similar to the language of political rivals used in public rallies "cannot be tolerated". The statement further said that Nawaz Sharif's struggle for the independence of higher judiciary was part of history. "The PML-N would continue to play its role for the independent judiciary which could protect the Constitution," it stated, adding "The sacred judicial responsibility cannot be used for prejudice and bigotry for character assassination of political leaders or any Pakistani citizen under the garb of 'freedom of judiciary'".
The statement concluded with a couplet from Urdu poetry: "Tu Idhar Udhar Ki Na Baat Kar Ye Bta Keh Kaafila Kyun Luta, Muje Rahzanu Se Gila Nahin Teri Rehbari Ka Sawaal Hai".