Petition filed to stop Prime Minister Imran Khan from saying ‘new’ Pakistan
Is being accused of ignoring the country's history
Islamabad: A petition has been filed in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to stop Prime Minister Imran Khan from using the nickname of ‘Naya’ (meaning new) with Pakistan in his speeches and TV interviews.
“The word ‘Pakistan’ and the flag of Pakistan are protected by the constitution and any alteration to them is a clear violation of the Constitution of Pakistan”, says petitioner Tariq Asad who is a lawyer of the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP).
He has maintained that the prime minister has been frequently referring to Riasat-e-Madinah or “State of Madina” while sharing his vision of a welfare state that again is without context and in contrast to the unique history of Pakistan.
Justice Amir Farooq of the IHC issued notices and sought a reply from the respondents including Secretary Ministry of Law, Principal Secretary to Prime Minister, Information Secretary and Chairman of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA).
Pakistan’s history distorted
Asad has maintained that Khan has disgraced the national integrity giving Pakistan a nickname as ‘Naya Pakistan.’
“Imran Khan having altered and distorted the name of Pakistan as ‘Naya Pakistan’ is inter alia violation of Article 1 and Article 5 of the Constitution and fundamental rights of the citizens of Pakistan guaranteed by Article 14 of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973,” said the petitioner.
Khan has also made an insignia i.e. of a flag of ‘Naya Pakistan Housing & Development Authority’ which is different from the national flag of Pakistan, said the petitioner.
The petitioner maintains that the new insignia of the Naya Pakistan Housing & Development Authority comprises green and red colours and there is no white colour that is a representation of minorities.
No share for minorities?
While talking to Gulf News, Advocate Asad by omitting the white colour from the housing authority’s insignia, they (the government authorities) have implied the scheme is not meant for the non-Muslims.
In his prayer, the petitioner has requested the court to restrain the government functionaries including the members of Parliament and Cabinet as well as the PTI workers and opposition parties from patching and using the word ‘Naya’ with Pakistan or calling this state as ‘Naya Pakistan’.
The petitioner has also requested the court to direct the PEMRA to restrain the television channels from airing the word ‘Naya’ with Pakistan in talk shows or national news.