Political leaders’ rebuffing court orders leads country to disaster: Nisar

ISLAMABAD: Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Tuesday said when political leaders reject court orders it leads the country towards disaster, ARY News reporter.

“Politicians’ job is not to create anarchy and disorder. Our focus is now on Supreme Court and progress of the country,” he said while addressing a press conference in Islamabad following Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Imran Khan’s calling off the proposed protest sit-in.

The PTI chief has announced to observe a ‘Thanksgiving Day’ in the federal capital on Nov 02 instead of a planned protest and sit-in.

The abrupt decision came after the Supreme Court (SC) of Pakistan on Tuesday began hearing a case into the ‘Panama Papers’ leaks and offered to form a commission to investigate revelations that Sharif’s children held offshore bank accounts.

The court has asked the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his family to submit an answer within two days. Imran has termed this decision a victory of his party.

Nisar welcomed Imran Khan’s reaction to the Supreme Court proceedings and directions and said politicians behave like this.

While, He said the development that took place in the last few hours was no one’s victory or defeat. It was a victory of Pakistan, democracy, trust in institutions, our kids and our future.

“Pakistan’s victory is in rule of law and confidence on our institutions. I see Imran’s statement with respect,” he said.

“I would like to thank people of the twin cities and all Pakistan and also seek their apology at the same time for whatever happened in the last three days and ended up with peace,” he said.

Referring to the PTI’s complaints that the government created hurdles in the way of its planned sit-in, the interior minister said the government gave free hand to PTI to hold public meetings at F-9 Park. However, the government had to take measures when you declared your intention to lock down the federal capital.

He said the federal government blocked the way of KPK Government that was using official resources against the federation. He said the blockade was not directed against Pakhtoons as similar measures were taken in some parts of Punjab as well.

Nisar also reminded that PTI was not the only party representing Pakhtoons as people of the province have also been reposing trust in Awami National Party, Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam-Fazl and Pakistan Muslim League-N.

He said as against misuse of official resources like cranes, lifters and masks by the KPK Government, the federal government’s disarmed police was allowed to use only tear-gas and batons to disperse crowd.

The interior minister spoke high of Islamabad and Punjab police for ensuring rule of law and establishing writ of the state.

“I congratulated police for maintaining law and order situation with only batons, teargas and masks. Police saved Islamabad from becoming a battleground without using a weapon,” he said.

He also acknowledged the positive role of Islamabad High Court and Lahore High Court for ensuring rule of law and supremacy of the constitution.

The minister said the prime minister had asked the SC four months back to formulate its own TORs for investigations into Panama Papers. He said today’s decision should have been taken four months back.

To a question, he said that three intelligence agencies and three other members chosen with consensus will investigate the matter of news leaks in a transparent way.

Answering a question, he said that the Frontier Constabulary was playing a vital role for the defence of the country and maintaining law and order situation in the country.

He said 50 percent increase in pay of FC personnel would be made from next month and 50 percent in the subsequent months to bring them equivalent to the pay of the Islamabad police.

He said the retirement age of FC personnel is also being enhanced from 35 up to 45 years.

Nisar said similarly the scales of Islamabad Police are also being upgraded. He said the scale of constables will be elevated from 5 to 7, Head constables from 7 to 9 and ASIs from 9 to 11. He said it will cost 540 million rupees and Prime Minister has given approval in this regard.