Opp in KP Assembly lauds court verdict against Musharraf

PESHAWAR: The opposition members in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly on Monday lauded the special court’s judgment that convicted former dictator Gen Pervez Musharraf for abrogating the constitution, and awarded him death penalty.

The legislators from the opposition parties criticised some federal ministers for making ‘ridiculous statements’ against the judges of the special court and the judiciary.

Deputy parliamentary leader of the Awami National Party (ANP) and former deputy speaker Khushdil Khan, on a point of order, termed the verdict ‘historic’. He hoped the judgment would stop unconstitutional steps against any elected government in the future. “This is among the bold and historic judgments in the 70 years history of Pakistan. All the political forces must fully support this decision,” the ANP MPA said. He added that Justice Waqar Ahmad Seth who headed the special court was an intelligent and honest person. He criticised some of the federal ministers for making irresponsible and ridiculous statements about one of the judges of the special court.

The ANP lawmaker said that if the government or other institutions were not satisfied with the court verdict, they had other forums to file appeals. “We stand with the judges who made the historic decision,” he declared.

Earlier, opposition leader in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Akram Khan Durrani criticised the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government for creating confusion and tussle between the state institutions by issuing irresponsible statements.

“The government under a pre-planned conspiracy is creating misunderstanding between two important institutions,” he said. He added that all political and democratic forces should strengthen the state institutions within the constitutional framework.

Interestingly, the treasury benches did not respond to the opposition parties’ remarks about the special court judgment.

Speaker Mushtaq Ahmad Ghani adjourned the assembly session soon after Khushdil Khan’s point of order. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly also passed a resolution unanimously condemning the killing of noted lawyer Feroz Shah in Swat and demanded the arrest of the killers.

The resolution was moved by ANP MPA Waqar Ahmad Khan from Swat, who alleged that the provincial government had failed to protect the lives and properties of the citizens, particularly in Malakand division.