Ruling coalition lashes out at top judge over double standards.

ISLAMABAD -- The ruling coalition led by Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz, while considering the Supreme Court's verdict to release Imran Khan as an undue favour and speedy relief to him, openly lamented the role of Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Umer Atta Bandial.

Right after, the Supreme Court ordered former prime minister Imran Khan's immediate release, the ruling party leaders fired a broadside at the country's top judge for granting relief to the PTI chief in a graft case. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif during a press conference lamented that the PML: N leadership has not been given treatment like Imran Khan has been given.

He questioned why PML: N supremo Nawaz Sharif and several other leaders of his party were not getting justice in this manner. 'The Supreme Court has ensured that Imran is provided all facilities and allowed to meet 10 visitors', he said, asking; 'Why these double standards? He also criticized the silence of the top court on the fresh violent protests across the country and questioned that did Imran not incite and preach violence in his video message published prior to his arrest? He further said what was the result of that violence for which Imran Khan instigated his workers?

'The court should have taken notice of the attack on the monuments of martyrs. Those monuments were defaced and the Army's installations were attacked.

The corps commander's residence in Lahore was attacked. 'But no suo motu was taken and the judiciary did not raise concerns', he complained, adding; 'However, an individual was respectfully shifted to a rest house.' Reacting to the verdict, PML: N Chief Organizer Maryam Nawaz Sharif criticized Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial, asking him to step down from the post and join the opposition party - PTI.

'The chief justice was very happy today to meet the criminal who plundered Rs60 billion from the national exchequer and he [CJP] was even more happy to release this criminal,' the PML: N leader said while referring to the CJP remarks during the hearing.

She further held the CJP responsible for the attacks on the state installations.

'..[the CJP] is acting as a shield of a 'fitna' [Imran Khan] and is pouring fuel on the fire in the country. You should leave the post of chief justice and join the PTI like your mother: in: law did,' she tweeted.

While talking to media, PDM chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman claimed what the apex court had...