Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry took a strong stance against the concluding address by Nawaz Sharif at the third Asma Jahangir Conference.
Fawad Chaudhry said that the conclusion of the Asma Jahangir conference with PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif’s speech is “a contempt of judges and judiciary”.
“Conference addressed by CJP and senior judges is concluding with a speech by an absconder. It’s nothing but contempt of judges and the judiciary,” Chaudhry tweeted.
Advised SCBA that they should remain neutral only than Lawyers can contribute! Conference addressed by CJP and senior Judges is concluding with speech by an absconder it’s nothing but a contempt of Judges and Judiciary ……
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) November 21, 2021
The federal minister also revealed that he did not attend the conference due to Nawaz Sharif’s speech.
Read more: Asma Jahangir: Pakistan’s human rights warrior
He said that inviting Nawaz Sharif to make a speech at Asma Jahangir Conference is “tantamount to mocking the country and the constitution”, therefore he excused himself from attending the conference.
آج عاصمہ جہانگیر کانفرنس میں مجھے مدعو کیا گیا تھا مجھے بتایا گیا ہے کہ کانفرنس کا اختتام ایک مفرور ملزم کی تقریر سے ہو گا، ظاہر ہے یہ ملک اور آئین کا مذاق آڑانے کے مترادف ہے میں نے کانفرنس میں شرکت سے معذرت کر لی ہے
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) November 21, 2021
Internet cut off during Nawaz Sharif’s speech?
PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif began his speech for the closing ceremony of the conference from London via video link. However, the internet connection became disrupted, cutting off the live stream.
Munizae Jahangir, Asma’s daughter and one of the organizers, confirmed to the media the suspension of broadband internet services and mobile internet soon after Nawaz began speaking.
“We believe in freedom of expression, that is why this non-partisan platform is open to everyone. We condemn the muzzling of the closing session where Mian Nawaz Sharif was going to make an address,” Munizae Jahangir said.
Read more: UN Secretary General pays tribute to Asma Jahangir
Mian Nawaz Sharif's address to Asma Jehangir Conference (21st Nov 2021) https://t.co/nQrogRZJCf
— Nawaz Sharif (@NawazSharifMNS) November 21, 2021
During his address, Nawaz Sharif paid tribute to the late celebrated lawyer and human rights activist Asma Jahangir.
Nawaz Sharif called for devising a national agenda to pull Pakistan out of its current crises. He also the need to “put our house in order”.
“My suggestion is that [based on] all the recommendations given in this conference, an immediate strategy be formed and everyone sit together so that we can adopte the path of practical struggle. It is very important. We are very late and cannot afford more delay. This work should be done today,” he stressed.
Read more: Long shadows of Nawaz Sharif