Pakistan judiciary has become dictatorial, says Gilani

Islamabad - Former Pakistan premier Yousuf Raza Gilani has lashed out at the judiciary, accusing it of having become dictatorial.

"We have fought against all dictators and were always successful, but today the judiciary has become a dictator," said Gilani, adding sarcastically said there is no requirement for elections, as the judges want to govern the country.

The Express Tribune quoted Gilani, as saying that if all prime minister's decisions are taken by the judges, then elections are mere drama because it is the judiciary which will choose prime ministers according to its own will.

"I will surely go for a protest at all levels against the judicial oppression in the country," he said and added that there will never be a stable Pakistan if incumbent Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf is sacked.

"If Raja Pervaiz Ashraf asks me for advice, I will tell him to reject the court orders," Gilani said.

"The judiciary has become the third force for which the army was blamed in the past, and today they want a controlled democracy, as the institution has been politicised with clear and determined political intentions," he said.

Calling his disqualification "unconstitutional", Gilani said the judiciary is not independent because everyone is forced to follow the court's 'unconstitutional' orders.

Gilani was disqualified from his post of prime minister after the Supreme Court held him in contempt for not obeying the court orders by not writing to Swiss authorities asking to reopen graft cases against President Asif Ali Zardari.