Sharif hits back at Chief Justice Bandial

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday hit back at Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial for his critical remarks, taking the polarisation in the coup-prone country to new limits amid economic meltdown and bitter political divide.

During a hearing on the postponement of polls in Punjab on March 31, the chief justice said: “Today, when you go to parliament, you find people addressing the parliament who were till yesterday in captivity, imprisoned, declared traitors.

They are now talking over there, and being respected because they are representatives of the people.

The stark reference was interpreted as a jibe at the Prime Minister who was arrested twice during the government of Imran Khan on the charges of alleged corruption but was bailed out by the courts.

Speaking in the National Assembly, Prime Minister Sharif said that he faced unfounded allegations in the previous government followed by arrests but he succeeded to counter them on merit.

“It is God’s grace that I was released on merit and that I am here today. My crime was that I fully raised my voice against the government’s wrongdoings. But this was not acceptable to Imran who considered us a thorn in his side,” he said.

In a direct reference to the remarks by the chief justice, Sharif said it was not a crime that he faced the cases.

“Is it a crime that after having successfully fought my case in the high courts, a decision is then made based on merit? Is this a matter of respect and pride or shame?. Is it a matter of shame or respect that I am present in this House today and can speak with my head held high?” he said.

Sharif said the chief justice had stated that those who had served prison terms in the past were now making speeches in parliament and dared the top judge if he would say anything about the “baseless cases” against the leader of the former opposition.