An assistant to Imran Khan criticises the SC for ordering the no-trust vote
Key Takeaways:
- A five-judge bench of Pakistan's Supreme Court unanimously overruled the deputy speaker's dismissal of a no-trust motion the day before.
A day after a five-judge bench of Pakistan's Supreme Court unanimously overturned the National Assembly's deputy speaker's dismissal of a no-trust motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan, Khan's advisor Shireen Mazari branded the development as a "judicial coup."
"Last night, a judicial coup occurred, mandating how and even when the NA session must be held, effectively eliminating legislative supremacy!" Regrettably, the US attempt at regime change, which resulted in the Dy Speaker ruling, was completely ignored. But this isn't the end," Mazari, a former human rights minister in Khan's cabinet until April 3, when deputy speaker Qasim Suri of the ruling PTI dismissed the opposition's no-trust motion.
Minutes after Suri's decision, the former cricketer-turned-politician addressed the nation, recommending that President Arif Alvi dissolve the national and provincial parliament. While the President agreed to the plea, the Supreme Court ruled against it Thursday.
On the other hand, Mazari had a word of caution for the ecstatic opposition. "The long shadows that loom over this judicial ruling believe the game is over, but it has only just begun." People know who sold their souls to the US for money, and in the end, despite ECP's strange hesitation, it will go to the people's court," the PTI leader wrote.
She was alluding to President Alvi's warning that new elections would not be possible before October, as issued by the Pakistan Election Commission and a Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial. In his April 3 address to the people, Imran Khan stated that general elections will be held within 90 days.
The 69-year-old leader will conduct a series of meetings today and address the nation again ahead of Saturday's no-trust vote, which will begin at 10 a.m. local time. He has accused the US of working with Pakistan's opposition parties to destabilize his government. The US government has already dismissed these charges.