KARACHI – Former PM Nawaz Sharif has started to openly talk about theperceived nexus between the Military establishment and the Judiciary whichresulted in his ouster from power in the shape of life timedisqualification from the parliamentary politics.

Nawaz Sharif lashed out at what he termed the nexus of the military andjudiciary against democracy. He was addressing a seminar in Karachi on ‘TheFuture of Democracy in Pakistan’ on Friday.

According to him, democracy in Pakistan is attacked each time it starts tostrengthen in the country. “For over 30 years, Pakistan was ruled bydictators,” he said. “In 70 years of its existence, not one prime ministerwas allowed to finish their tenure in Pakistan.”

Nawaz said the doctrine of necessity adversely affected democracy in thecountry, adding that a section of the judiciary has always supporteddictators. According to him, courts have validated martial laws in the paston the basis of this “doctrine of necessity”.

He called out the courts for not bringing former military dictator Gen(retd) Pervez Musharaf to justice in the treason case. “The court, which ispowerful against politicians, is helpless before dictators,” he said.“Politicians have been hanged, they have been called hijackers but thosewho trampled upon the Constitution did not face any ire.”

He added that despite all the attacks against democracy by dictators, noone could bury it as the masses are aware of their rights now. He said thatall sections of society, including lawyers, teachers, media, must playtheir part for the prosperity of democracy.

He also expressed regret at the situation in Balochistan.

Chairman Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party Mahmood Khan Achakzai, ChairmanPakistan National Party Mir Hasil Bizenjo, and other mainstream politicalleaders and members of civil society also spoke in the seminar.

This was Nawaz’s first visit to Karachi since his disqualification.