KARACHI: Different NGOs under the banner of Pakistan Civil Society Forum (Sindh Chapter) expressed deep concern over prevalent political uncertainty after the Supreme Court’s verdict to disqualify Nawaz Sharif. After a meeting of civil society representatives at PILER Centre, the civil society activists and human rights defenders praised the reaction of the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) and its leadership. They also criticised the attitude of some political parties against the ‘elected’ PM, said a statement issued on Sunday. They said the ruling party has a two-third majority in the National Assembly and it is expected that it would gain majority in Senate after March elections. They deplored that dictators were not punished, who overthrew elected governments and put the constitution in abeyance. They hoped that the democratic process would continue in Pakistan and the new PM would be allowed to work with liberty and the parliament would complete its tenure and new elections would be held according to the schedule in 2018. They also demanded meaningful electoral reforms. Besides that effective economic reforms are needed in Pakistan, especially land reforms and provision of universal social security to all citizens.
Published in Daily Times, July 31st , 2017.