No one can dare destabilise democracy: Fazl

LAHORE: JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Sunday said nobody’s faher could destabilise democracy in the country, adding that Imran Khan had stated he would welcome the third force’s intervention.

He said there was an elected prime minister in the country and whosoever weakened him would weaken democracy.Fazl described street protests as a pointless exercise because the Panama Papers issue was in the Supreme Court. He promised that Islamabad would not be shut down.

He said maintaining the law and order situation was the government’s responsibility. “Saving the elected prime minister is not a crime,” Fazl remarked, adding that the government wasn’t scared.

The JUI-F leader told a press conference the current situation was not similar to October 12, 1999.When asked if the umpire’s finger would be raised, Fazl advised against raising such dangerous notions, saying martial law would not be imposed in the country and there was also no threat of a confrontation.

He said staging a protest was tantamount to exerting pressure on the apex court with the Panama Papers issue pending before it.He said the biggest forum to settle the Panama Papers issue was the Supreme Court, adding that Imran should openly say that he wanted a decision of his own choice through sit-in and protest.

Fazl said he had not discussed any strategy with Shahbaz Sharif on stopping the PTI sit-in.He said the prime minister would make a decision on the appointment of the army chief according to the Constitution.

Fazl said the politics of Imran revolved around thieves and theft, which were artificial elements for electioneering.Earlier, Fazl met with Punjab Chief Minister ShahbazPunjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, as matters of mutual interest and political situation of the country were discussed during the meeting. Both the leaders termed announcement to lock down Islamabad undemocratic and unconstitutional.

Fazl said announcement to lock down Islamabad was an open enmity to Pakistan and its 180 million people. He said Imran should not take revenge of his repeated defeats from the people and added that no conscious Pakistani would support undemocratic and unconstitutional steps.

The chief minister said those intending to lock down Islamabad wanted to stop the journey of speedy progress. “Those indulging in negative politics are out to snatch the joys of 180 million people by sabotaging CPEC,” he noted.

These defeated elements were afraid of end of their politics with the completion of speedy development projects, he added. Shahbaz said those indulging in the politics of chaos through lockdown of Islamabad wanted to defame Pakistan through their show but the enemies of development had been exposed to conscious Pakistani people and nation would not become a part of any such show.