Raza Rabbani opposes governor’s rule, banning political party

ISLAMABAD: Former Chairman Senate Mian Raza Rabbani has opposed the imposition of Governor rule and any move to ban a political party, saying that the imposition of Governor rule is no solution, as neither the ingredients of Articles 232 or 234, Constitution, 1973, exist nor is it a wise move politically. “It will deepen polarisation and increase political instability in a province seeing a surge in terrorism.”

“Banning a political party is no solution, as it may emerge with a different name. We should learn from history when NAP and the Communist Party of Pakistan were banned but to what effect,” he said on Friday while opposing the Governor rule and banning of any party.

Rabbani also declared that the arrest of journalist Matiullah Jan is uncalled for and said the charges against him are just a joke and the Government should release him. He said the right of freedom of expression and protest are fundamental rights provided in the Constitution, 1973, structured in law, but it cannot give a license to violence to further a political agenda. “After enforcing the writ of the state, the Government should move towards a political dialogue,” he said, adding that the essence of a federal parliamentary system is the strengthening of democratic institutions, the primacy of civil rule, the rule of law and dialogue.