South Asia Democracy Watch deplores ‘conspiracy’ to derail democracy in Pakistan

DALLAS: The Dallas-based South Asia Democracy Watch (SADEW) has severely criticized the unconstitutional, unlawful and morally decadent demands of Imran Khan and Tahir ul Qadri to overthrow the democratically elected Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif and his constitutional government in Pakistan.

The SADEW Board of Directors in an emergency meeting has voiced its concerns that these attempts to remove a democratic government by a frenzied mob would be a huge blow to Pakistan's nascent democratic system that was attained by a long struggle and sacrifices of the civil society, media, judiciary and political parties.

The news release issued after the board meeting further pointed out that according to the country's laws and constitution the prime minister and the government, elected for a five year term, can only by removed either by a vote of no-confidence in the National Assembly or general elections.


Recalling that for the first time in the political history of Pakistan a democratically elected government has peacefully transferred power to the newly elected party after completing its five-year term, the board emphasized that the current political chaos will lead to another dark period of military dictatorship in the country if the current siege of the capital does not end soon.

SADEW has appealed to both Imran Khan and Tahir ul Qadri, along with their parties, to desist from such unconstitutional actions and prevent further damage to the growth of democratic traditions of the country. “They must address their grievances and allegations of rigging elections and corruption through the proper avenues such as the National Assembly and the courts” the news release reiterated.