Lawyers’ Body Says Tensions Arising From No-Confidence Motion Undermining Democracy

Lawyers’ Body Says Tensions Arising From No-Confidence Motion Undermining Democracy
The Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) has warned that the political turmoil in the wake of the vote of no-confidence against Prime Minister Imran Khan is posing a threat to Pakistan's democracy.

PBC Vice-Chairman Hafeez-ur-Rehman Chaudhry said that 'democratic irritants' could take advantage of the fraught political tension and dismantle Pakistan's democratic system of government. He said that delaying the no-confidence motion on 'flimsy pretexts' and most likely 'on the behest of democratic irritants' posed a risk to the country's governance.

He called on the Chief Justice of Pakistan to ensure the no-confidence motion adhered to a democratic process and the rule of law.

At the same time, Geo News reported that intelligence agencies have warned of a potential violent clash between the ruing Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Opposition parties on the day of the no-confidence vote.

Law enforcement agencies are developing a strategy to stop any disorder on the decisive day. “Though the implementation of counter-strategy will be hard to obtain the motive of keeping the peace, because of direct involvement of the ruling party, the law enforcement agencies have decided to overcome the possible clash between the rival political groups,” a police officer explained on the condition of anonymity.

PM Imran Khan earlier directed PTI workers to assemble outside the Parliament House on the day of the no-confidence vote, expected on April 3.