On the Eon Podcast Reloaded, former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi shared his views on the inner workings of the Pakistani government, covering judicial independence, political control, and lessons from history.
- Judiciary Under Pressure: Abbasi discussed how governments in Pakistan have often tried to influence the judiciary. He explained that such attempts to control the courts typically backfire, harming both the government and judicial independence.
- Importance of Independent Courts: He emphasized the need for a free judiciary, sharing past examples where political interference led to negative outcomes. According to Abbasi, attempts to sway court decisions for political gain only undermine stability.
- Military Courts for Anti-Terrorism: Abbasi reflected on the creation of military courts in the late 1990s to address terrorism, which were eventually struck down by the Supreme Court. He cited this as an example of a misguided reform that didn’t last.
- Political Parties & Leaders: Abbasi pointed out that Pakistani political parties often become centered around single leaders, making it challenging for the party to survive independently if the leader falters. This focus on personality over institution weakens party structures.
- Historical Lessons: Concluding his talk, Abbasi emphasized that laws made for self-serving purposes tend to backfire. He urged the importance of genuine, beneficial reforms, as history shows self-interested policies fail over time.