Judges Issues, Impeachment, Foreign Policy and Pakistani Voters
By Farid Masood • Jun 30th, 2008 • Category: Politics, Worth A Second Look • 25 Comments •Will Judges be restored, will Musharraf quit, will foreign policy be tuned as per national interests as most of the Pakistani voters wised after February 18th Elections?
I have my doubts about proper restoration of Judges at Nov 2, 2007 levels, I have my doubts about ouster of President through or without impeachment as per the wishes of masses, I have my doubts our foreign policy might be re-structured to suit our national posture.
Why these doubts have come in mind lets discuss one by one?
Restoration of Judges on Nov 2, 2007 position has become tough ask. NRO has become a main hurdle along with many other diverters to de-track the move into right direction. PPP’s leadership has played havoc with nation to betray its trust by signing Bhurban accord with PMN(L) and not abiding by the accord in which both the parties decided to re-instate judges within thirty days after forming government in the center.
Two deadlines went away with no progress in this case. Pre-elections authorities still sitting on their seat, no major overhaul of dictator’s planned infrastructure is in view, so status quo is persisting. Till 2009 PPP and PML may not have required majority in upper house to perform legislation which is the basic work of parliament. When PPP Co-Chairman says his party was not mandated for Judges restoration he is wrong or mistaken or he is somewhat clever enough to know and the nation does not. So re-instating deposed judges through an act of parliament by keeping the PCO judges will not harm the stance of President but off-course will vet the action of Nov 3rd by ‘reversing’ it through constitutional package.
Mr Zardari often states the assassination of Ms Bhutto was the actual mandate for PPP to fight against the current system (and to bring back the democracy) which took her life. But the facts are other-wise and nation knows it very well that the change in stance of Ms Bhutto after arriving Pakistan took her life as a punishment to go beyond script, and Mr Zardari don’t want to repeat such ‘mistake’ and know from where his ‘mandate’ is actually coming.
On the other hand Mr Nawaz Sharif knowing pros and cons of having friendship with PPP leadership is quiet for the sake of the country and people. When he says that, “Mr Zardari’s orchard mangoes are as sweet as Mr Zardari is” tells the nation a lot between the words.
Mr Shariff don’t want to break coalition with PPP in the center for some political reason. In case of damage to this coalition Mr Asif Ali Zardari will have to look towards PML(Q) and MQM (the parties which are openly supporting to President Musharraf since 2002) and this move will disclose the actual trade-in with the current regime. This act will surely affects to the cause and political standing of Pakistan Peoples Party and the credit shall off-course goes to PML(N) which is not required also.
Impeachment of President Musharraf has become an elusive dream now. Some severe jolts on February 18th (elections) had made the position of the President so weak that his office remained silent for weeks after it. When (as per script) he saw that Mr Zardari is able to manage the delaying tactics by preventing the credits to anti-Musharraf forces and with the support from Bush Administration, it worked like a life saving drug. After April 2008 what re-instated was President’s position nor the judges.
As I mentioned earlier Mr Zardari cannot go out of the written script, this is evident from his current practices. Nation suffering from food crises, electricity crises, inflation crises, fuel crises, crises, crises but his tours of Dubai, Europe are not reducing. He is actually putting everything on wait for him. This time delay by not meeting or by useless meetings is basically to give more time to shaken structure of establishment to be more powerful in coming days.
For the impeachment of the President an elected government must have a two third majority in lower and upper house, which current allied government right now do not posses. So these are just political statement from the both sides when Mr Zardari says “I have asked time and again to the President that he should quit himself, soon there will be the President from Pakistan Peoples Party” between the lines the message is we cannot do it ourselves, or when President Musharraf says ‘Parliament is sovereign, when they want me to quit I shall not become a barrier in democratic process’. Actually the impeachment of the President is out of question now.
The existing structure of the government may not allow Sharif brothers to be success in current politics. While the graph of their fame is getting on the higher side day by day. This is also an alarming situation for other political parties including PPP. Rejecting adopted ministries in the center was in the script and ouster of PML(N) from the government of Punjab is also in the script and we shall witness it soon may be by the month of August. Keeping weak government in the center and people like foreign minister is part of a well-planned system. Appointment of Governor Punjab is part of that scene.
PPP is also trying to weaken MQM in Karachi and lawyers movement around the country. Change of tone of Aitezaz Ahsan is witnessing such moves, whatever the case may be President SCBA Mr Aitezaz Ahsan is not going to give in to his political career, which is attached with PPP.
This is also evident and but the end of this year we shall have a new tentative dates of new elections. Those elections would be totally engineered as per the wishes of the current writers and the new writers of the script and till that time President Musharraf is not leaving his seat.
The time has come that the nation should become united, this unity must reflect at national and international level, we must put our personal interest aside. Parliament must show courage while dealing with different issues. Mr Sharif policy is very right one must acknowledge it. Forget the deals of past, look towards the future. We have to stop American administration to interfere in our internal matters. We have faced the after-effects of Afghan War. We have to correct the mis-dealing of the past with dialogue. No good relationships at the cost of national integrity and solidarity. We must seal our borders and air space with Afghanistan, give time to Afghan refugees to return then to their homeland. Any violation of air space must be dealt with an iron hand. Next six months are enough for this task. Those refugees not willing to return must be sent back by force. Pilot projects should be considered to develop FATA areas to give residents an opportunity to earn and to disarm them.
Our political leadership must understand the mandate of the Pakistani voters. They must not shrug their shoulders to get rid of responsibility as per the verdict of the voters against the dictator’s regime.
Last 5 posts by Farid Masood
- DO MORE Pakistan - January 7th, 2009
- TPS in Islamabad Bloggers Meet-Up - January 3rd, 2009
- Who Will Reduce Edible Oil Prices - December 28th, 2008
- Selling of Nukes Production Facility - December 24th, 2008
- India Desperately Needs a War - December 21st, 2008
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where are your lawyers dear .
sir u got to under stand the psyche of nation .people are here to cash their nuisance and when they are demanded they settle they settle their account.it is a advise to pay attention on some constructive issue rather to waste your time on ill issues and ill people.here people donot pray for you but they make u prey.
Farid Masood - “Mr Sharif policy is very right one must acknowledge it.”
WHICH ONE?
Farid and others read this with open mind and think and analyse and question yourself after removing spectacles of hatred, partiallty and prejudice from your noses Was March 2007 better or 30 June?
What a befitting reply from the Governer to the Musharraf bashers:
Governor Ibad defends Musharraf’s policies
KARACHI: Sindh Governor Ishratul Ibad Khan defended the policies of President Musharraf while addressing a literary programme at a local hotel.
He said President Musharraf made 15 ‘mistakes’. The first ‘mistake’ was that he prevented the destruction of the plane that was in air on Oct 12, 1999, and thus saved the lives of 200 people, including children. The second ‘mistake’ was that President Musharraf saved the country when the global scenario changed after 9/11. He did not allow the spread of the extremism in the country. He did not allow the Talibanization of Karachi.
The third ‘mistake’ was that he increased the forex deposits of the country. The fourth ‘mistake’ was that he did not impose martial law. The fifth was that he held free and fair elections in 2002. The sixth ‘mistake’ was giving the country a local government system. The seventh was shaking hands with the Indian prime minister at the SAARC conference.
The eighth ‘mistake’ was that he did not give any CM post to his son or other relatives. Giving freedom to the media was another ‘mistake’. Another one was disallowing seminaries such as the Lal Masjid and turning them into his vote bank. The eleventh ‘mistake’ was that he doffed the army uniform and the twelfth was introducing national reconciliation.
Khan said holding free and fare elections, the empowerment of democratic institutions and tolerating criticism were other ‘mistakes’ Musharraf made. Khan regretted that today the reconciliation process was being converted into confrontation to create political uncertainty in the country. He said, resultantly, the economy was being affected, capital was being shifted to other countries and the stock markets were nose-diving.
Farid,
Don’t you feel shame supporting a person (Nawaz Sharif) who has harmed the country most in last 20 years (even more than India) just to satify his egocentric nature. He has never ever thought in the interest of Pakistan and always plays politics of blackmailing. The latest example of the threat to PPP to leave the coalition. I wish these FB’s quit the coalition now, at least there will appear a clear picture of Pakistan politics. These FB’s don’t realise how much Pakistan is weakening in every respect because of their these F*** types of politics.
Nawaz Sharif: A History Of Ingratitude
Mr. Sharif is not as innocent as he portrayed himself to be. If Mr. Sharif wants accountability, let’s open all the books.
By MIRZA ROHAIL BAIG
Saturday, 14 June 2008.
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan—If you are one of the Pakistanis who applauded former prime Nawaz Sharif when he addressed a crowd of deranged lawyers and paid hungry supporters – who turned the most expensive piece of property in the heart of Pakistan’s federal capital into an open air toilet last night, then you should know that Mr. Sharif is not as innocent as he portrayed himself to be.
This is a guy who went shopping in Washington DC for a U.S. $ 25,000 watch as brave Pakistanis died fighting for their honor in Kargil, a battle that Mr. Sharif ensured we lost because he was busy in a personal fight with the nation’s military leaders.
Mr. Nawaz Sharif’s record is so embarrassing that, in another country with educated voters, he would never be reelected by the people.
His record includes unforgettable lapses and mistakes, each of them worthy of an inquiry commission that could disqualify him for life:
1. This man declared emergency after the May 1998 Nuclear detonations. Under the pretext of sanctions, he swallowed up the nation’s $10 billion foreign reserves. No questions asked and no accountability since!
2. This man, Nawaz, siphoned off millions of dollars of the money collected under the ‘Qarz utaro mulk sanwaro’ scheme where he appealed to the Pakistani nation’s patriotism and asked everyone to donate money to pay off the national debt. No accountability so far!
3. This man was shopping for $25,000 Philip Patek watches in the United States when our brave soldiers were dying in Kargil. No shame!
4. This man built a 2000-acre Raiwind palatial complex for himself and his family when our nation was contributing to the ‘Qarz utaro mulk sanwaro’ scheme to pay off the national debt.
5. This man Nawaz is a PROTEGE of past military rulers who turned him from a dumb, Nehari-loving imbecile into a leader. General Imtiaz brought him from Dubai. General Jillani and General Zia-ul-Haq groomed him. Lt. Gen. Hameed Gul created for his an entire new political party, the IJI. Today he makes fun of the military. It says something about his character. He is an ungrateful person, someone we call EHSAAN FARAMOOSH in our language!
6. He is the first ruler in the history of Pakistan and maybe the world who ransacked the Supreme Court building and unleashed the private armed thugs on Shahbaz Sharif’s payroll as a private Sharif Militia and used them to stone the building of the Supreme Court and chase out its judges who dared to challenge his actions in 1997.
7. More than 80 complaints of corruption and misuse of authority were pending at different stages of inquiry, investigation and trial against former PM Nawaz Sharif when he was granted pardon by the president and went into a self-chosen exile. The complaint said Nawaz Sharif did not mention in his declaration of assets in the nomination form for NA-12 in 1997 that he owned a helicopter. It was alleged that he did not pay duties of Rs. 30 million on this machine. Don’t take my word for it, check this news story: http://www.millat.com/ghalibcom/events/nawaz%20exile/80_cases_pending_against_nawaz_b.htm
8. According to a report:
8.1 Rs. 1.5 billion loan was taken out by the Sharif brothers against the security of their company, Ittefaq Foundries
8.2 Rs. 302 million were obtained for Brothers Sugar Mills
8.3 Rs. 92 million for Brothers Textile
8.4 Rs. 392 million for Brothers Steel Mills
8.5 Rs. 102 million for Ramzan Sugar Mills and Khalid Siraj Textiles each
8.6 Rs. 385 million for Ittefaq Sugar Mills
8.7 Rs. 368 million for Ittefaq Textiles and
8.8 Rs. 239 million were loaned to Ittefaq Brother.
9. The Nawaz family which is now one of the richest in the country largely due to the largesse of Pakistani banks has unveiled its one billion rupee Raiwind Complex. Spread over an area of around a thousand acres it houses palatial residences, a 300 acre farm, a 500 bed hospital, a school, a medical teaching facility, 200 acre dairy farm, a 350 line telephone exchange, Polytechnic institute, Nursing and Midwifery school etc. The Sharifs who must really be minting money have built it all in 17 months at a cost of Rs 740 million. The Punjab government headed by a Sharif has chipped in by providing government-funded roads and forcibly purchasing land for papa Sharif. http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/Lobby/2423/20.html
10. Nawaz is currently Pakistan’s 4th RICHEST MAN in the list ‘Top 40 Richest Pakistanis’.
11. Nawaz has asked for Pakistan to open permanent border with India, VISA-FREE! Why doesn’t he simply call for making both one & same country? This way he’ll get an endless supply of Indian music DVDs that he so loves!
Finally, when Nawaz’s son was suspected of having blood cancer and needed treatment in London, Pervez Musharraf violated his own 10-year agreement with the Saudis and ordered the Pakistani Embassy in Riyadh to provide the Sharifs with passports on humanitarian grounds.
Musharraf again put the exile agreement aside and helped Shahbaz Sharif get treatment in New York.
In comparison, Mr. Nawaz Sharif could have shown magnanimity and rise above petty revenge and address the real issues facing Pakistan, internally and in the region.
Mr. Baig is a Pakistani commentator. He can be reached at opinion786@yahoo.com
Guys this is to remind you about the rally that will be held next month in favour of the President Pervez Musharraf. People from all walks of life are taking part in this and if you are a fan too then don’t stay back. Show your support for the man by attending this rally on 6th JULY 2008.
We are slowly making it to the news. The dates have been changed:
Jul6 6 2008 Karachi
July 12, 2008 Islamabad
Please contact your Group Leader for the location you can attend:
Group Leader for Sindh, Karachi: Basim Ahmed: 03222443153
Group Leader for Punjab, Islamabad: Ali Farooq 03214999937
Together we prosper.
We remain,
Geo Musharraf Geo
A tribute to President Pervez Musharraf
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4mTxfgOhD0
Good work Farid. Keep it up. Yes it is very much required that we must sit and think ahead. our country is not in good situation. we have internal and external threats at a time. if we will keep fighting on internal issues and won’t rectify our mistakes by corrective actions, we are no more in world. Only prays can’t do any thing. Practically we have to prove to be a good and united Nation. If we will keep fighting for political personalities and proving each others right or wrong, it won’t help us in long term. Corrective actions and change in policies are required at this stage. If as an independent observer I see Pakistan situation, I have doubt that it is independent country and having independent policies in favour of citizen. This is a only country in the world which has no links with terrorism but still became victim of US war. Kuwait was root cause of this issue but the most happiest nation in the world now a days is Kuwait. It is very next to Iraq but fully peaceful country to live. Pakistan on other hand is big victim of this war. Military rulers started this all drama in 1980’s and military ruler took it at peak in this new century. Great Policy, great achievement.
Dr Razahaider
Mr Aitezaz Ahsan is a lawyer.
Aftab S. Alam
Nawaz Sharif’s policy to talk and act in favour of nation and national interest is very right.
Aashique of Musharraf
I feel shame to support the following leaders:
1. Musharraf and all military leaders serving and retired who imposed Martial Laws and who intend to do it in future, because to impose martial law in Pakistan you required external support (think about it and stop copy pasting comments and writeups of others, We know who is Ishrat-ul-Ibad, both are scratching back of each other MQM and Mush)
2. Any political leader comes in result of a deal.
3. Nawaz Sharif
so I have to choose bad out of worst, coz i have limited choice.
2.
Aashique of Musharraf
Rally in favour of Musharraf means death of dozens of people on the road, do you want it?
Farid,
Good work and keep it up. Weldone.
Farid,
Are you threatening people not to participate in that rally? Are you guys really going to do something in that rally?
Anonymous personalities can do some thing wrong in these kind of rallies. Mr Farid has an identity, having correct email address etc etc. He can be tracked easily so people like him can’t even think to do so. It can be done by anonymous people, who are having no valid email address and identity. they are coward and filth of our society. they pretends to be a man but their coward actions proves that they belong to some other gender.
Off course when anonymous person is asking others to participate in such and such rally then it raises questions same like Farid raised in his comments.
Now people should realise that why US had forced military govt for last elections to alllow corrupt characters back to stage of performance as its was easier for them to handle as per US desires.Disorders, mismanagement and corrupton are aslo the qualites of forced democratic governnace that is surely a continuity of previous regime.We should have one PM but at this time but actually four people are enjoying PM protocols on national exchequer of most debit and poor country of the world.
So we can say that this time US is trying new experiment by distributing mussarf’s powers among six people.4 are hand picked politicians , one is COAS and other is president.if one carfeully watch what is going on around us then see we as a nation are just like experimenting rats of US govt and our leaders are incapable scientists doing right or wrong on us by reading manuels from US agenda.
As judges issue, impeachment and foriegn policy are not mentioned in US agenda so all stupid actions and commitments are being made public from those cartoons who consider themsleves as the champions of democracy.Before them our military dictator always considered himself as a father of democracy and produced lot of illegtimate children those have now become monsters for Pakistan.If some monsters come and make rallly for their father then it would nt be surprised to all of us as they were fed and brought up on the principles of dictatorship and it is there job to provide protection to such characters.if anybody denys extreme turmoil on state affairs then surely either he is living abroad on high profile assignment awarded to him for his loyality or he or she is living in GHQ.No normal human being facing the worst and harsh living conditions in Pakistan can praise the prevailing conditions all over the Pakistan.
Aashique of Musharraf
I am realistic, any such rally may bath in blood (God forbids), people have their own choice. Whatever, we have seen till now the suicide bombing had been a reply to the policies of Musharraf. Almost 85% people are against Musharraf. Only paticipants of this rally may be Patwaris, Government servants, and those who are still enjoying perks and privillages from Current regime.
Don’t do it if it has to be a poor show like May 12, 2007 in Islamabad.
So its going to be a rally now in support of Musharraf. Nice idea for Mush lovers but who is getting paid this time. Last year in June I was there at Supreme Court when Chaudhry sahab had come out with cronies to show the power, the cronies included ruffians and scoundrels you could tell from their faces. Other who had gathered to add to this multitude of the scum of the country were Patwaaris, ADPPs, DDPPs (i.e. Additional and Deputy Public Prosecutors). They were paid Rs. 5000 to Rs.8000 for the participation alongwith a free night stay at different hotels and free dinner and lunch.
Geo Musharraf sada geo!!
I also endorse about comments. His 12 may power show was fully financed by Government of Pakistan. People were hired on Rs100 + 2 time meals and free pick and drop to reach Islamabad to see him behind green colour bullet proof glass. On other hand, Mushi also annonced unofficial holiday for all law and order agencies in Karachi so he and his allies can play blood game on the streets on karachi.
Geo Musharraf….Maha Bay sharam bun ker. I have never seen such a shame proof person ever in my life.
Geo Musharraf Army House main…. Humaray Tukroon per.
Farid/Salim,
Don’t go on idiotic surveys of 85%, 95%, 35%. This is the extreme of stupidity if anyone believe such surveys. Most of the surveys were conducted by Musharraf bashers and those people/sources who could not get any benefit from Musharraf or by people/sources who Musharraf has dented their designs they were supposed to play against Pakistan.
Your 20000 lawyers long march could not to do anything. Now they the lawyer’s movement in the graveyard. Well done Musharraf!
You can not gather 10000 (only) people to take them to presidency and remove President from there.
85% people against Musharraf! Ha Ha Ha biggest joke since March 2007.
If really 85% people against Musharraf and they could not do anything to rmove him I think they are the most BEGHAIRAT people of the world.
Musharraf has blood of his father in his veins, he has said that he will live here and he will die here. He is a born soldier not like other mean, shameless, conscienceless, plunderer of national wealth who ranaway to other countries to save their a** and then come back as soon as they got the opportunity to suck nation’s blood again.
These FB’s wanted to remove Musharraf so that they will start looting the country again freely.
By the way why you guys not writng against this coalition govts. failures and time is not far when people were start saying Bring back Musharraf and his team they were much better than these stupid democratic people.
Farid/Salim,
Don’t go on idiotic surveys of 85%, 95%, 35%. This is the extreme of stupidity if anyone believe such surveys. Most of the surveys were conducted by Musharraf bashers and those people/sources who could not get any benefit from Musharraf or by people/sources who Musharraf has dented their designs they were supposed to play against Pakistan.
Your 20000 lawyers long march could not to do anything. Now they the lawyer’s movement in the graveyard. Well done Musharraf! Pakistanis are proud of You
You can not gather 10000 (only) people to take them to presidency and remove President from there.
85% people against Musharraf! Ha Ha Ha biggest joke since March 2007.
If really 85% people against Musharraf and they could not do anything to rmove him I think they are the most BEGHAIRAT people of the world.
Musharraf has blood of his father in his veins, he has said that he will live here and he will die here. He is a born soldier not like other mean, shameless, conscienceless, plunderer of national wealth who ranaway to other countries to save their a** and then come back as soon as they got the opportunity to suck nation’s blood again.
These FB’s wanted to remove Musharraf so that they will start looting the country again freely.
By the way why you guys not writng against this coalition govts. failures and time is not far when people were start saying Bring back Musharraf and his team they were much better than these stupid democratic people.
Are we witnessing a multiple personality here from this “aashique” of Mush? Some of you folks have too much time on your hands… or is it that you sit in front of your old computer and looking at ways to make money from Mush or whoever it may be? I did not realize that how counterproductive some of your posters can be. When doing a job, do it right or just stay silent!
Get a life “Aashique” and stop playing these silly games. And oh please stop this copy and pasting! You sound more and more like a disillusioned old bafoon.
I wish this blog had a ignore button, so I do not have read silly and idiotic remarks by some of these posters.
Talal Hussain Malik
You are very right, I am eye witness of that ‘Poor Show’ of 12th May, Hiaces with a baaner at front and having 4 to 5 persons in each one were en-route to Islamabad. Every particpant was paid from Rs 500 to Rs 1,000 and free lunch to participate in that Poor Show where our president waved hand and said” We have shown power in Islamabad and Karachi’ while Karachi was burning in Human Blood and Islamabad was rocked with not more than 30,000 hired people.
You know Mr Talal many of them went murree on that paid trip and did never reach Islamabad.
Farid/Salim,
Don’t go on idiotic surveys of 85%, 95%, 35%. This is the extreme of stupidity if anyone believe such surveys. Most of the surveys were conducted by Musharraf bashers and those people/sources who could not get any benefit from Musharraf or by people/sources who Musharraf has dented their designs they were supposed to play against Pakistan.
Your 20000 lawyers long march could not to do anything. Now they the lawyer’s movement in the graveyard. Well done Musharraf! Pakistanis are proud of You
You can not gather 10000 (only) people to take them to presidency and remove President from there.
85% people against Musharraf! Ha Ha Ha biggest joke since March 2007.
If really 85% people against Musharraf and they could not do anything to rmove him I think they are the most BEGHAIRAT people of the world.
Musharraf has blood of his father in his veins, he has said that he will live here and he will die here. He is a born soldier not like other mean, shameless, conscienceless, plunderer of national wealth who ranaway to other countries to save their a** and then come back as soon as they got the opportunity to suck nation’s blood again.
These FB’s wanted to remove Musharraf so that they will start looting the country again freely.
By the way why you guys not writng against this coalition govts. failures and time is not far when people were start saying Bring back Musharraf and his team they were much better than these stupid democratic people.
BYE BYE
Aashique of Musharraf
You should come out with your own views, How can you say that 85% nation is “BEGHAIRAT”, this is a power game and will of more than 90% people have never been respected
Dear All,
Please find below an analysis of CJ Iftikhar Chaudhry Reference case seen from a different angle not done by media or our intellectuals.
EX-CJ IFTIKHAR CHAUDHRY REFERENCE CASE – A CRITIQUE
Reading Time: 13 minutes
The judgment by the Supreme Court is now a public property and can be commented upon. I know that the tide of the media flow is against the government and the government seems not to be in a mood to counter. We do not see any genuine effort by neutral persons to analyze the complete episode critically without any bias and favor. May be the media itself is not providing space to any balanced analysis and criticism, a policy they are obliged to follow. A deliberate attempt to look at the complete case from other angle may initiate a healthy debate which is the need of the hour. It is as follows:-
1. Reference Against the CJ is illegal: If the article 209 of the constitution has been followed by the government in filing the reference then it is hard to believe the judgment can be called illegal. The word used in the judgment calling the filing of reference “illegal” leaves no room for “ifs and buts”. Had there been any procedural lapse that should have been pointed out before accepting the reference by the registrar which is a normal judicial practice. May be it has been called “illegal” for the reason that article 209 says judges conduct can be referred to SJC whereas, the filed reference was against the CJ who could not be equated with judges as propounded by Mr. Aitazaz Ahsan. If it is so, then this judgment may lead to judicial chaos of no end. It means that CJ is not included in the category of other judges and if we accept it then CJ is qualified for administrative functions only and he can not sit on the bench constituted for judicial adjudication. There can be many more judicial implications of grave consequences which this judgment may create. Allow me to say that if the judment of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was bad then this judgment is even worse. This judgment has hanged not one man but the whole institution of judiciary has been put to gallows till the count of ten.
2. CJ is not Accountable: The judgment gives a strong message that “CJ is not accountable and he can not be tried by the SJC”. Our learned judges endorsing every word of the judgment need to have serious introspection. If CJ being the head of judiciary is not accountable then President, PM, Head of institutions, COAS, CAS and CNS should also enjoy same privilege. Thus, leaving the poor general public accountable for all the ills of this nation.
3. Affidavits: Apparently feeling has been given that all affidavits whether of CJ or from intelligence agencies and PSO were not taken into consideration but it is hard to believe because legal cases are decided only on the evidence produced. The judgment itself is the affirmation of what the affidavit of CJ asserts whereas all other affidavits were set aside. Why the court decided to ignore all other affidavits may suggest that it did not go with the mindset. The affidavits of intelligence agencies and PSO were testimony of the facts supported by the recorded evidences which could not have been negated, so those were conveniently ignored. Affidavits from both the sides had enough meat to reach to the facts which could have guided this nation to a better future but we have lost the opportunity. As a nation we are not far sighted and look for immediate relief only. This judgment is the proof of our approach to please some people who wanted some embarrassment for the government. To make the CJ case into a movement for pressurizing judiciary, all Bars were activated by the CJ counsel. We are not short of hired pseudo intellectuals (media baby) who took their turn on all private media channels to give momentum to this movement using their myopic wisdom. Who financed this movement which needed a heavy purse was readily available from the looted public money.
4. Intelligence Agencies: The honourable court came hard on intelligence agencies on the pointation of CJ counsel. Why that was done? That could be to nullify the facts contained in the affidavits submitted by the agencies. Needless to say, intelligence agencies are the eyes and ears of any state. They are duty bound to carry out surveillance and report to the authorities with concrete proof. They do their duty with great precision, expertise and professionalism. These agencies keep their watchful eyes at all possible spots which may be President, PM, Ministers, Parliamentarians, Bureaucrats, Professionals, Defence forces, Judiciary and all & sundry. These agencies perform their duty to protect all the boundaries of the state and we should be obliged to them. Those who are innocent should have no fear. To be fair our judiciary should facilitate and appreciate intelligence cover which will protect the stature and standing of all judges and give credence to their judgment. No one then dare say “CHAMAK”, “KANGAROO COURT”, “BRIEF CASE” and “LIFAFA”.
5. CJ Trial By the Judiciary: Gone are the days when honorable judges were not appearing in the public. And, when judging serious public / political cases they confined themselves to the boundary of their home, away from all influencing materials like newspapers, radio and tv. These honorable judges never visited office of executives and other state organs. They spoke through their judgment and never found addressing public and bars as political leaders. We have now seen all these happening. When judicial culture has changed then permit us to say that any judge being tried by judges of their own fraternity lose credibility. It is a serious fall out of the CJ Iftikhar Chaudhry case judgment. We can not rule out that in future political leaders and others may also demand their trial for any charge be done by their own men. One may then ask - do we expect angels to come? Yes, we want angel judges to come if we want fair judgment.
6. CJ Iftikhar Chaudhri Case: Let me summarize some of the events which speak loud of the mindset:-
a. Allowing Supreme Court premises for address by CJ Iftikhar Chaudhry counsel and supportive lawyers: It is incorrect to say that it was a bar meeting. If it was a bar meeting then why the public address system was arranged for listeners sitting out side the premises of the supreme court who were mostly political parties. What happened in that meeting are on record. The language used in that meeting were slur on the sanctity of the supreme court but the honourable judges of the court did not move. They let that happen. When the apex court was physically assaulted and attacked by a political party and all the evidence were available, recorded by media, seen by independent witnesses and even recorded on the court CCTV these evidences were ignored on flimsy ground. When our judiciary can not protect themselves then what protection can they provide to general public. Had the judiciary been effective and those political leaders who were responsible for the attack punished, we would not have seen the misery of this nation which we are seeing today.
b. CJ Iftikhar Chaudhry and his counsel were given free hand to influence the bar members, political parties and general public to organize a movement to pressurize the court hearing the case against CJ. It can happen only in Pakistan. If this is the modus operandi to get judgment of choice from the court then days are not far off when members of political parties will paralyze city and town as was done by the lawyer community. Any one having clout may also get judgment in favour. It also implies that show of brute power is the key to get the judiciary approval. Who says that this bold judgment has buried the martial law for ever? No sir, this judgment has sanctified army’s brute force and muscle power in getting favourable judgment if situation so arises. The CJ counsel suggested to the court to use judiciary in the similar way as done by the army when they supported their army chief in promulgating martial law or removing the civil government. It clearly implies that army action to protect General Pervez Musharaf was legally correct approach. Had that not been correct then the CJ counsel dare not advise the court to use the same strategy. The deep silence maintained by the trial court on this suggestion may be the tacit approval of this modus operandi.
c. When movement gained momentum at that critical juncture the court expressed that the judgment will be a good news for the general public. Judgments are not given to please any one. It has to be fair and just, irrespective of the feelings that may have.
d. The Law Secretary was hastily called in anger to explain why some portion of the reference had derogatory language for the honourable judges. The executive was fined and the Law Secretary was de-licenced. Whereas, when the President of the SC Bar threatened to burn the supreme court he was called in the court where Mr. Malik took the stand that he had been quoted out of the context. Then he was asked to submit it in writing. On his appearing next day, he excused to the court by saying that that was slip of the tongue. Our judges were magnanimous in dealing with the Bar President but did not think so when Law Secretary appeared. Those who watched the TV(Geo/ARY) just after the judgment was announced may recall that Mr. Malik, the President of the SC Bar in an interview with the media smilingly admitted that he did that intentionally to maintain pressure on the court or words to that effect.
e. Advise to CJ Counsel: The court on one occasion spoke to CJ counsel saying ” AS A FRIEND WE ADVISE YOU TO RE-CONSIDER YOUR AGITATIONAL STRATEGY OF BAR ADDRESS BY THE CJ” or words to that effect. How supportive or detrimental is calling a counsel of one party as “friend” during the court proceeding needs no elaboration. Moreover, that advice was indicative of the mounting pressure used by the CJ counsel to influence the judgment process of the case. Had that not been so then the court should have warned and directed CJ counsel to stop agitational movement of the lawyers. When the judgment process of the court is being influenced by a party then court do not advise or request but orders the concerned party to stop influencing the court. The court never minces words in passing such orders but nothing of the sort was done.
f. Evidences of the Affidavits: Soon after affidavits by agencies and PSO were submitted, the CJ counsel appeared extremely agitated and disturbed. The tv coverage of that day and soon after clearly shows that state. But after about two days the CJ counsel was back in his usual color. What brought the color back is left to the fair judgment of all. However, we all know that report by agencies which formed the core evidence proved most distasteful to those who were on the other side of the fence. If those evidences had some grains of truth then that should have been considered and thoroughly agitated in the court to reach to the fair judgment. This is what the justice requires. We turn to the old maxim ” Justice not only be done but seems to have been done”.
g. Mr. Sharifuddin Pirzada Words of Wisdim: This veteran jurist in his short but most forceful argument had brilliantly summarized the complete case in few words. Had that been given due thought the facts were not far away to dispense a fair justice. Let us recall those words of wisdom once again. Quote: ” RULERS AND CALIPHS HAD BEEN ANSWERABLE OR SUMMONABLE BEFORE COURTS EVEN FOR THEIR PRIVATE MATTERS AS ISLAM PROVIDED ACCOUNTABILITY TO ENSURE RULE OF THE LAW. HAZARAT ALI (AS) WROTE TO THE GOVERNOR OF EGYPT TO EMPHASISE HOW HAZARAT ALI (AS) APPLIED HIS MIND TO THE APPOINTMENT OF QAZIS (JUDGES) BY STATING ONLY THOSE SHOULD BE APPOINTED QAZIS WHO WERE PIOUS, NOT GREEDY AND WHO DID NOT MAKE ERRORS IN THEIR JUDGMENT OR DEVIATE FROM THE TRUTH. FURTHER APPOINTED QAZIS SHOULD BE SUPERVISED ( what intelligence agerncies now do) AND IF FOUND GUILTY SHOULD BE SUSPENDED, DISGRACED AND DISMISSED”. unquote
After such a forceful argument based on islamic injunction who can argue any further.Reply to Danish
Report
Thanks
Danish Thanvi
AOM Sahib - Interesting, took me longer than recommended 13 minutes! Thanks. Who is this Thanvi? He does write well, is it all just to inform us the plain ‘folks’ or something else is at play here? Whatever the motivation, makes some better sense. Helped me disown this, entire sordid episode, even more. It is a catalogue of the sordid details of orgies of hatred against Musharraf and stinks up into very nostrils of the entire nation.
Thanks again!