Govt's refusal to accept seven-judge bench contempt of court: Sheikh Rashid

The AML head says Aug 13 is the deadline for assemblies

RAWALPINDI (Dunya News) - Awami Muslim League chief and former federal interior minister Sheikh Rashid says the government's refusal to accept the seven-judge bench is contempt of court and if elections are not held in time, no one knows what will happen in the country. 

In a series of tweets on social networking site Twitter, Sheikh Rashid said soldiers were sacrificing their lives in terrorism and people were left at the mercy of terrorists. He said Zardari claimed that he would take the foreign currency reserves to $100 billion but in reality the treasury had only $3 billion. The government had only five days left to clinch a deal with the IMF, he said. 

 

— Sheikh Rashid Ahmed (@ShkhRasheed) June 24, 2023

 

Referring to Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, the former interior minister said an "insane person is slapping reporters". Country’s politics and economy were in tatters. The AML head said the prime minister and the foreign minister were on tours to promote their travel and tourism company. 

“The case goes to court later, but the government attacks court first,” he claimed. He said the government's refusal to accept the seven-judge bench was contempt of court. “If elections are not held in time, no one has idea what will happen in the country,” he said. 

Rashid said Aug 13 was the deadline for assemblies. He said September would prove cruel (for rulers). He said the 13 political parties were afraid of elections. 

Rashid said the political figures rejected by people were being reimposed. “They have not saved the country from default, but brought it closer to default. The handcuffed women and violation of the sanctity of four walls of homes are mockery of their so-called democracy.” 

 

— Sheikh Rashid Ahmed (@ShkhRasheed) June 24, 2023

 

The former interior minister said the country had entered the most serious crisis. He said the textile industry was closed, the unemployed youth were dying in the sea of Greece, inflation was sky-high and loadshedding was at its peak in the country whereas the rulers and the privileged were oblivious to all these issues and were leading a carefree and luxurious life.

There was no one to address grievances, mitigate hardships and relieve pain of the poor, he said. He said a decision on choosing election or selection had yet to be made.

“Now our last hope is Allah and the judiciary. The government's emphasis is on delivering speeches and making photo sessions instead of solving issues of the people. The public cannot be fooled any longer,” he said.