Pakistani Opposition Accuses Shehbaz Sharif Government of Coercion
In Islamabad, opposition lawmakers in Pakistan have accused the government led by Shehbaz Sharif of using forceful tactics to pass constitutional amendments. Concerns were raised about the harassment and disappearance of opposition members during sessions of the National Assembly and Senate.
Allegations of Coercion
Omar Ayub Khan, leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly and a member of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), claimed that opposition lawmakers were being offered large sums of money to change their loyalties. He questioned the integrity of democracy, asking, “Is democracy here for sale?”
Debate on Amendments
The National Assembly began debating the proposed amendments, even before the draft was officially presented. PPP lawmaker Naveed Qamar suggested that opening the floor for debate would help create a consensus document.
Accusations of Harassment
PTI members accused the government of harassing their families to gain support for the amendments. Omar Ayub Khan reported incidents of arrests and disappearances involving PTI leaders’ families. He demanded an explanation from the interior minister.
Concerns Over Constitutional Court
Opposition members questioned the need for a constitutional court, citing a backlog of over 60,000 cases. They criticized the government’s rush to pass the amendment package.
Call for Investigation
During a National Assembly session, lawmakers called for an investigation into the harassment and disappearances of PTI and PPP members. Syed Ali Musa Gilani from the PPP condemned the harassment of Zain Qureshi’s wife and demanded an investigation.
Opposition’s Warning
Opposition leaders warned that the government’s actions could lead to an unmanageable situation. They urged the government to reconsider its approach to passing the constitutional amendments.
Doubts Revealed
Shehbaz Sharif -: Shehbaz Sharif is a politician in Pakistan. He is the leader of the government, similar to a Prime Minister in India.
Constitutional Amendments -: Constitutional amendments are changes or additions to a country’s constitution, which is like a rulebook for how the country is run.
Coercion -: Coercion means forcing someone to do something by using threats or pressure. In this context, it means the government is accused of forcing lawmakers to agree to changes.
Omar Ayub Khan -: Omar Ayub Khan is a leader from the PTI, a political party in Pakistan. He is speaking out against the government’s actions.
PTI -: PTI stands for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, which is a political party in Pakistan. It is similar to political parties in India like BJP or Congress.
National Assembly -: The National Assembly is like the Lok Sabha in India. It is where lawmakers meet to discuss and make laws for the country.
Constitutional Court -: A constitutional court is a special court that deals with issues related to the constitution. It makes sure that laws and actions are in line with the constitution.