Pak Senators criticize military, judiciary involvement in politics

Senators in Pakistan have criticised the alleged involvement of the military establishment and the judiciary in the country's political affairs, the Dawn has reported.

Emphasising that institutional dialogues between the military establishment and the judiciary were held across the world to avert a collision between institutions, Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Senator Farhatullah Babar said as far as Pakistan is concerned, the matter was "much more complicated than just an issue of imbalance in powers of the state institutions".

"The powers of the parliament, the judiciary and the civilian establishment were being shifted from Islamabad to Rawalpindi," the Dawn quoted Babar, as saying.

He added that in some instances "the powers had already been handed over to Rawalpindi".

Babar claimed that powers have been transferred to the people who consider themselves above the law, which is a matter of grave concern.

He even expressed disappointment over his own party stepping back from its demand of bringing everyone under the ambit of accountability.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senator Saood Majeed claimed that the executive did not exercise its powers and also alleged that the judiciary had encroached upon the powers of the parliament.

He stated that space is open for some other institution to step forward if the government fails to discharge its responsibilities.

Echoing similar sentiments, PML-N Senator Jawed Abbasi alleged that the judiciary had enjoyed the powers of the executive following the campaign for the restoration of judges.

He was of the view that attempts have been made in all tenures to curtail the powers of the parliament.

PPP Senator Taj Haider stressed the need to identify those who were enfeebling the democracy.

Asserting that the civil-military bureaucracy was attacking the parliament, the Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP ) Senator Usman Kakar alleged that the judiciary holds a bad record as "it had legalised the dictatorial governments".

Balochistan National Party Senator Jehanzeb Jamaldini suggested appointing the head of judiciary and the army after taking approval from the upper house.

Muttahida Qaumi Movement Senator Tahir Mashidi also alleged that the army plays an important in the politics of the country.