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ISLAMABAD, Dec 01 (APP): Federal Minister for Law and Justice and Human Rights Azam Nazeer Tarar on Monday warned that any bid to attack, discredit, or weaken Parliament would undermine Pakistan’s democratic foundations and harm its 250 million citizens.
Responding to a point of order in the National Assembly, Azam Nazeer Tarar appreciated Gohar Ali Khan’s remarks but stressed that political responsibility demands honesty, introspection and consistency. He cautioned against confrontation, reminding PTI that leaving Parliament after the 2022 no-confidence vote was a mistake for which it had paid the political cost.
Tarar stressed that political decisions must be made within Parliament, saying democracy rests on dialogue and reasoning, not force. “Politics and fascism are two different things—politics relies on argument, fascism on coercion and threats,” he remarked. He reminded the opposition that PTI, while holding the Speaker’s chair in the previous assembly, had dissolved an elected House within minutes to block a constitutional process.
Reiterating Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s message, Azam Nazeer Tarar said Pakistan’s survival and stability must take precedence over political rivalries. He warned that while all parties can pursue politics if the country stands strong, attacking institutions or inviting chaos benefits no one.
Azam Nazeer Tarar recalled that despite grave injustices in the past—including the execution of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and the assassination of Benazir Bhutto—political parties upheld democratic limits and never marched on Islamabad with state weapons or machinery.
He noted that even when Nawaz Sharif was twice removed from power, such lines were not crossed. Tarar cautioned that framing political disputes as battles of force undermines the national interest, warning that bringing workers armed with government-issued weapons to attack the capital is unconstitutional and not politics.
Azam Nazeer Tarar urged all parties to reflect on their mistakes, stressing that accountability applies across the political spectrum. “Mistakes were made by you, and perhaps by us too. Introspection is essential,” he said. Citing poet Kausar Niazi, he added that even the word “Iqtidar” reminds us power is temporary and humility vital for democracy.
Responding to debate on election disputes, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar noted that PTI had filed over 90 petitions before tribunals, with more than 70 percent already decided—mostly in its favour in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh and Punjab. He stressed that a constitutional mechanism exists and warned that bypassing it undermines credibility.
Recalling the 2013 protests, he said the Nasir-ul-Mulk-led judicial commission found no evidence of rigging, adding that dialogue was the better path then and remains so now.
He concluded by reiterating that Parliament remains the legitimate platform for resolving national issues.
Member of the National Assembly Noor Alam Khan said that any attack—verbal or otherwise—on Parliament amounted to an attack on 240 million citizens and the country’s democratic system. While expressing personal respect for Mahmood Khan Achakzai, he stressed that anyone advocating an assault on Parliament was effectively targeting Pakistan, its people, and its democratic order, and could not be considered a friend of the nation.
He accused Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf members of double standards, noting they adopt one position in private meetings and another on the floor of the House. He pointed out that Gohar Ali Khan opposed the 26th Constitutional Amendment during the sitting, despite PTI leaders earlier agreeing to it in discussions with political figures, including Maulana Fazlur Rehman.
“In our political history, we have never declared anyone a traitor or issued certificates of patriotism. We believe others may be better Muslims and better Pakistanis than us. But if someone insults this Parliament, they should know that our relationship is with this State and with the Kalima,” he remarked.