Sharif's days are not over, says PML-N

As opposition party leaders in Pakistan celebrated the Supreme Court's decision to disqualify Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif from office, ruling PML-N members expressed disappointment but said Sharif's days are not over.

Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah, talking to the media outside the apex court, said: "This is a difficult time for the PML-N. But the power to make party decisions will remain with Nawaz Sharif."

State Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said: "Nawaz does not need a chair, he is a reality. That day is not far when he will be chosen for the fourth time."

Aurangzeb added: "Some decisions happen in court, others in peoples' courts. We may have lost one decision... which I am not surprised about but am saddened."

"PML-N (Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz) is Pakistan's biggest political party. It has the highest number of political workers. And history is a witness that whenever Nawaz Sharif was removed unjustly, the people of Pakistan brought him back to Parliament with a greater majority."

She said that the party will announce its plan after looking at the court decision in detail.

Senior lawyer Asma Jehangir told Dawn that the court's decision should be accepted but there was room for criticism.

"After his decision, a lot of cracks have emerged which will keep the judiciary on its feet for a very long time," Jehangir said to Geo News.

"I think that Zia ul Haq (former President) and Iftikhar Chaudhry (former apex court Chief Justice) have returned. It will become difficult for others and the court... The Parliament will think that the apex court has always decided against us and Article 184(3) powers have reached a point where anyone can be disqualified, the Parliament will look to amend it."

She added: "This is a unique decision. It has had a unique procedure. In courts it happens that there is a set pattern but the way this case has happened is not normal."

--IANS

ahm/rn