| Shehbaz terms judgment victory of constitution | Bilawal urges people to mark April 8 as Thanks-giving Day | Court put country back on tr

ISLAMABAD   -  The combined opposition yesterday vowed to bring a real change minutes after the Supreme Court turned down the ‘unconstitutional’ steps by Prime Minister Imran Khan over the day to avoid the no-confidence motion against him.

The ruling Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf, however, criticized the court decision and has started consultations for a ‘new strategy.’ Pakistan Democratic Movement chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) President Shehbaz Sharif ad Pakistan People’s Party chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari have urged the people to celebrate the possible ‘ouster’ of Prime Minister Khan and mark April 8 as thanksgiving day.

PDM Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and PML-N President Shehbaz Nawaz have hailed the Supreme Court’s verdict and congratulated the nation over the rejection of the National Assembly Deputy Speaker’s ruling and restoration of the lower house. Speaking to journalists after the Supreme Court’s historic verdict, they mentioned that the constitution had won as PM Khan had ‘violated’ the constitution. Fazl said a thanksgiving day will be celebrated on April 8 (today) instead of marking the Constitution Protection Day as per the earlier announcement. He said the PTI government had violated the constitution but the Supreme Court’s verdict had put the country back on track.

Shehbaz Sharif said that the Supreme Court’s verdict would save the constitution and Pakistan and paid tribute to the SC for announcing a consensus verdict. He vowed to give relief to the inflation-hit people soon after removing PM Khan through the vote of no-confidence.

Shehbaz Sharif expressed satisfaction over the court decision and said that it was a victory of the constitution and democracy. He said the prayers of the entire nation have come true.

The opposition leader said that the court has also strengthened the parliament with the verdict.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, while commenting on the decision of the Supreme Court, said: “Democracy is the best revenge.”

Speaking at a news conference here, he said the Supreme Court verdict will be written in golden words in history.

“We will make sure the no-confidence motion against Imran Khan is successful. Then we will ensure electoral reforms and then we move to the general elections,” he said.

The PPP chief said it was not the victory of any party but the constitution. “The people have won. The constitution has won. All the allies will take decisions together with consultations,” he maintained.

PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi, who was reinstated as Foreign Minister under the Supreme Court judgment, said the ‘threat letter’ is a clear interference in the internal affairs of Pakistan.

Speaking to journalists, he rejected the impression that the document was fake saying a judicial commission can be constituted to probe it.

Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said the Supreme Court verdict had “loopholes.”

Fawad Chaudhry said that political stability could be brought through the immediate organisation of fresh elections. He criticised that the SC verdict has significantly increased the political crisis in Pakistan.

He said that the importance of the nation was completely neglected in the SC verdict. He added that the PTI will review its strategy.

PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz took to the Twitter and expressed her gratitude to God for the Opposition’s win.

“I congratulate the nation as the supremacy of the Constitution has been restored,” she wrote. “Those who had violated the Constitution are done away with. May Allah keep Pakistan shining.” She also hailed her uncle Shehbaz Sharif, and wrote that he would be the next premier.

The joint opposition will pursue its agenda of NAB and election reforms after it sees a chance of forming its government at the Centre after ousting Prime Minister Imran Khan through a no-confidence vote in the national assembly.

PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif is the joint candidate of the opposition parties for the slot of prime minister. The Supreme Court has directed the government to ensure voting on the no-confidence motion on Saturday after it declared the Deputy Speaker’s action of dismissing no-confidence motion violative of the constitution.

Speaking to media after the SC verdict at his residence in the presence of leaders of the other opposition parties, Shehbaz Sharif said, “They will end the NAB-Niazi nexus first after coming into power”, suggesting what the opposition coalition would be doing in terms of legislation before announcing the general elections.