All institutions after opponents, state busy manoeuvring govts: Justice Minallah
During the hearing of the pre-arrest bail application of a murder accused, the Supreme Court made some strong observations over the unresolved political murders of three former Pakistani prime ministers and the state of political accountability.
Justice Athar Minallah expressed frustration over the state’s role in political affairs, stating, “All institutions are after political opponents,” adding that the murder of an elected prime minister was acknowledged after over 40 years. “What can be a bigger crime than the assassination of the prime minister?”
Justice Jamal Khan Mandohkel questioned the lack of accountability, asking, “What happened to their cases? Someone should have been held responsible and punished.”
He remarked that even the most senior judge in Balochistan was killed, but nothing came of it. “The real thing is that there is no desire to do anything. Compared to the other two provinces, the investigation in Sindh and Punjab is very poor,” Justice Mandokhel added.
Justice Malik Shahzad also raised concerns about the unpredictability of the prime minister’s tenure, stating, “A prime minister is in the Prime Minister’s House one day and in jail the next. No one knows how long they will remain the PM.” He asked, “What will happen to the common man in a country where the prime minister is in this condition?”
Justice Mandokhel echoed similar concerns, noting the widespread public mistrust of state institutions. “People want the Supreme Court to do all the work,” he remarked.
