Syed Talat Hussain: PML-N spox’s ‘explosive’ statement to see consequences

Senior journalist Syed Talat Hussain has predicted that the explosive statement of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb against the national institutions and Prime Minister Imran Khan will have consequences.

Ahead of the opposition’s no-confidence motion against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government, PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb alleged that lawmakers are being pressured by an influential ‘individual’ from Peshawar.

Aurangzeb said in a press conference yesterday alleged Prime Minister Imran Khan is trying to drag national institutions to pressurise the opposition lawmakers. She said that the reputation of a national institution was already damaged due to Imran Khan who dragged it into politics.

Split within PML-N ranks after meeting with PPP leadership

She threatened that her political party will have no choice but to reveal the name of the influential individual who is trying to pressurise the parliamentarians. She slammed PM Imran Khan by saying that such unconstitutional acts are the clear proofs of the premier’s fear and defeat. She asked PM Khan to fight political fight in a political way.

Commenting over her statement, Syed Talat Hussain said, “Mariam Aurangzeb’s statement is explosive, alleging PM Imran dragging “the institutions” into politics and damaging “the repute” by making someone “recently appointed in Peshawar” to call N members on the planned vote of no confidence. The statement will have consequences.”

Mariam Aurangzeb’s statement is explosive alleging PM Imran dragging “the institutions” into politics and damaging “the repute” by making someone “recently appointed in Peshawar” to call N members on the planned vote of no confidence. The statement will have consequences.

— Syed Talat Hussain (@TalatHussain12) February 20, 2022

PECA amendment

President Arif Alvi had promulgated two ordinances on Sunday that would bring changes in the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, (PECA) 2016, and the Elections Act, 2017.

Both laws were signed by the president after the Cabinet approved them. The changes made in the electronic crimes act have been made under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Ordinance, 2022.

Under the ordinance, the definition of a “person” has been broadened to include any company, association, institution, organisation, authority, or any other. Furthermore, anyone found guilty of attacking a person’s “identity” will now be sentenced to five years instead of three years.

The ordinance also states the informant or the complainant shall be “aggrieved person, his authorised representative, or his guardian, where such person is a minor or a member of the public in respect of a public figure or a holder of public office”.

Cases falling under PECA will be supervised by a high court and the trial court will have to conclude the case within six months, state news agency reported.

“The court shall submit a monthly progress report of any pending trial to the concerned high court and shall give reasons for the inability of the court to expeditiously conclude the trial,” says the ordinance.

Apart from sending the report to the high courts, copies of the progress report will be sent to the law secretary if the case is registered in the Islamabad Capital Territory. However, if a case is registered in a province, then the copies of the report will be submitted to the “provincial secretaries of prosecution departments, the prosecutor general or advocate general”.

The ordinance also authorises the high court to issue “fresh timelines” of a case if it finds the “reasons” given by the trial court “plausible” and beyond its control. The ordinance also empowers the high courts to summon federal or provincial government officers to remove any “difficulties, hindrances and obstacles” it finds in the case.

If the law secretaries find that the case was delayed due to the “presiding officer or any of its functionaries” then they may inform the high court. If the high court is of the view that the delay in the disposal of a trial is attributable to the presiding officer of the court or any other court functionary then they can initiate or “direct commencement of appropriate disciplinary proceedings.”

The ordinance also empowers the chief justice of every high court to nominate a judge along with other officers.

PML-N indecisiveness

Despite being a major opposition party of the country, Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) has failed yet to formulate a strategy to oust Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) led federal government.

The central executive committee (CEC) of PML-N was still undecided on whether to go for a no-confidence motion or choose the option of protests to oust the PTI government in the Centre.

It was learnt that a senior member of PML-N CEC demanded the return of Nawaz Sharif to the country to lead the anti-government movement then the lawmaker would tender their resignation from the National Assembly (NA).

PDM announces to bring no-confidence motion ‘after making ground’

On the other hand, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has continued its advancement to the next level of anti-government movement and seeking the support of all opposition and government parties to strengthen its political campaigning under a plan.

PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari had met the government’s ally Pakistan Muslim League Quaid (PML-Q) top leader Pervaiz Elahi and offered him the position of Punjab chief minister.

The opposition parties are seemingly making efforts to appease PML-Q and MQM-P to send the PTI government packing via a no-confidence motion.

However, it would be difficult for the opposition parties to gain the backing of the government allies who are already enjoying influential positions, said analysts.

Analysts added that the upcoming political phase is the local government (LG) elections in Punjab and Pervaiz Elahi’s support would be crucial for any political party in the current scenario. In a recent development, a PML-N stalwart Farooq Amjad had joined PML-Q.

On the other hand, MQM-P gained a strong position in Sindh which is being ruled by PPP following the ruling of the Supreme Court (SC) regarding the provincial LG law. Analysts were of the view that MQM-P would choose to prioritise its political interests while remaining with the PTI government.