ISLAMABAD: - Expressing serious concern over the promotion and protection of militant groups, Senate Chairman Mian Raza Rabbani has said that the writ of state was not challenged by a handful of protesters at Faizabad Interchange but it was in fact completely compromised.
In his key-note address at the book-launching ceremony of veteran leader Makhdoom Javid Hashmi’s book ‘Zinda Tareekh’ here on Sunday, Mian Raza Rabbani said that for smooth functioning of the system all state institutions should function within their defined constitutional precincts and strict measures must be taken not only to denounce but also crush trend of such militant groups.
In his address, Federal Railways Minister Kh. Saad Rafique came up with a complaint that in the past heavyweights of Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) and Pakistan People’s Party were made to change loyalty.
He said that formation of king’s party had always damaged the system and deplored that the politicians were being unjustly targeted and abused in the country, adding that "democracy was yet to become fully functional".
Javid Hashmi while sharing his views on the national politics, said that Army would just understand the language of power and bullet and they were worst at negotiations. ‘All those who obey them are patriots near them and all those who differ with their point of view are dubbed as traitors,’ he elaborated.
While talking about Faizabad sit-in, Raza Rabbani said that Article 256 of the Constitution of Pakistan was violated with impunity. He said that religion of the state is Islam and how could it pose any threat to a country that was founded in its name. “It is unfortunate that religion is being used once again to push for political agendas,” he added.
Railways Minister Saad Rafique stressed that ‘army should stay away from politics and controversies’ and that there was a huge difference between the army's professional and political roles. "There will be no compromise on the supremacy of Constitution," he added.
"We do not want for a truck to arrive and take away everyone including Imran Khan," he said, adding that "democracy was yet to become fully functional in the country".
Talking about courts, Rafique said that following the lawyers’ movement, it was expected that the courts would function independently but, according to him, the doctrine of necessity is still in place.
He further claimed that engineered political parties, like Mustafa Kamal-led Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP), had no future in the country adding that the people from MQM should have given a chance to take their own decisions.
Javed Hashmi criticised the role of the armed forces in dealing with the Faizabad protesters. "A general giving the protesters Rs1,000 each is beyond comprehension," he said. "Those who criticise the army are never forgiven."
He said the people of Pakistan love the Armed Forces but would not allow them to rule the country.
Other speakers paid glowing tributes to Makhdoom Javid Hashmi for his politics of resistance and sacrifices for the cause of democracy in the country.