Tactics being used to undermine Parliament: Rabbani

Senate Chairman Mian Raza Rabbani has urged judiciary, Executive and Parliament to work within the ambit of the Constitution for the stability of Pakistan and said that parliament is the weakest institution in Pakistan as in the past it was not allowed to function by imposing martial law.

Addressing a seminar, he said: "Executive attacks Parliament and interfere in its working using the notorious Article 58-2(b) and now 'new tactics' are being used to defang it, and it also intervenes in the working of judiciary while judiciary tries to overcome Parliament and Executive.

"All these measures have made parliament extremely weak body".He said Constitution says government would be run by people's representatives but Parliament is abolished through martial law or a dictator dismisses democracy through Article 58 2-b.

He said the executive was seen invading and trying to dominate the parliament and the judiciary which was wrong and undemocratic, adding that all state institutions should function within their constitutional limits.

Addressing a national seminar on "How peace could be returned to Quetta" held under the Shaheed Baz Mohammad Kakar Foundation (SBMKF), the Dawn quoted him as saying,"The ongoing confrontation between different state institutions is very harmful to the democratic system and the country."

"There is no need for any individual or a group of individuals to seek a certificate of patriotism from Islamabad or Rawalpindi," he said, adding that people were equal in the eyes of the law.

"Institutions are losing strength due to our wrong policies which is harmful for both the people and the country," he said, adding that without reaching a consensus on constitutional issues, the fight against terrorism, rampant poverty and anarchy could not succeed.

He said the executive was seen invading and trying to dominate the parliament and the judiciary which was wrong and undemocratic, adding that all state institutions should function within their constitutional limits.