Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz strongly criticized the Supreme Court's decision to allocate reserved seats to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), urging the judges to allow the country to progress.
Speaking at an event in Lahore on Friday, Maryam questioned the motives behind the judiciary's actions, accusing them of "rewriting the Constitution" to favour a specific individual in politics. She remarked that the person the judiciary allegedly wants to bring back is the nation's criminal.
"If anyone creates any hindrances, they will be dealt with iron hands. Who are these people who do not like development? The Constitution is being rewritten," she remarked.
Maryam Nawaz highlighted that the Supreme Court's July 12 ruling, which deemed PTI eligible for reserved seats, has facilitated the party's return to parliament after being excluded from the February 8 polls due to the Election Commission of Pakistan's December 2023 ruling.
This decision, she argued, will alter the composition of the National Assembly and add pressure to the coalition alliance.
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The chief minister asserted that the top court granted PTI benefits it did not seek, giving the party 15 days to submit affidavits affirming their allegiance to PTI, despite having previously declared loyalty to another party.
"This government will complete its five-year tenure," she declared, warning against attempts to create political instability, which would be met with a firm response. Maryam emphasized that judicial decisions should adhere to the Constitution, not individual conscience.
She condemned efforts to reintegrate what she called "the nation’s criminal," questioning the sources of his funding and influence.
Maryam criticized a "small group of people" for issuing orders that hindered national development and reiterated that the law and Constitution did not permit floor crossing, contrary to the Supreme Court's ruling.