News
Monday, April 08, 2013
‘Nawaz Sharif could not contest elections under articles 62, 63’By Arsalan Haider
LAHORE: Former President Supreme Court Bar Association and former Chairperson of Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) Asma Jahangir has said that if the Election commission fairly implements Article 62 and 63, then a number of renowned politicians including Nawaz Sharif would not be able to contest elections since they had “criticised the army and judiciary.”
She was addressing the seminar titled “Civil society’s role in deepening democracy” at Dorab Patel Auditorium. Chairperson HRCP, Zohra Yousuf and a large number of civil society activists were also present on the occasion. Jahangir said that democracy was the only solution for Pakistan and non-democratic forces had “looted the country for the last 60 years.” She said the participation of women in parliament and other decision-making of country is due to democracy and this has proved that women could play a vital role not only in household maters but also at the national level. While criticising General (retired) Zia-ul-Haq, she said that the former Army chief had tried to hijack the election process by implementing articles 62 and 63. “Usually people think that civil society only consists of NGOs. But it also includes other stakeholders of society including trade unions and clerics. If we want to strengthen our country, we must strengthen the civil society,” she argued.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk