Adil Najam
The way that the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court was removed was bad enough. But what has happened since then is even more disturbing.
The Chief Justice removed. Media being muzzled. Lawyers protesting beaten up.
One can debate whether Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry should have been removed or not, or even whether the way he was removed was appropriate or not. But there is no question that the way the government is dealing with this issue is shameful, distressing, and dangerous.
The shamefulness is obvious in these pictures; just as it was when a young man’s shalwar was taken off as he protested ‘disappearances’ some months ago. It is distressing because it demonstrates the sanctity of our most important institutions - the judiciary and the media - is under stress. It is dangerous because if one keeps slipping down this road then it is not merely the future of this government but that of the entire country that will be at stake.
Whether the lawyers here instigated the violence or not, I do not know. They very possibly did, and that is itself disturbing. But that is not the point. The question is how a society and a state deals with dissent and protest. Once again, the answer is: “Shamefully.”
I do not know who is advising the government on all of this. I just pray that someone is. I hope there is someone who stands up and says:
“Don’t do this.
Please don’t do this.
This is not good for you.
This is not good for the country.
This cannot be good for anyone.
Please - for God’s sake - STOP!”
I wish I had something more profound to say right now. But as I stare at these pictures and this video clip, I hold my head in shame; I am distressed; and I ponder on the dangers before us.
All I can think of right now is: “Allah khair karey!”
(Also see a BBC video report here. All pictures above from BBC website; video from GEO News).ÂÂ
Adil, I know you like quizzes and you like books, so guess who wrote this:
“The prime minister convinced certain judges to take his side, and they passed a resolution against their own chief justice. Then the prime minister got his party goons to storm the Supreme Court building while the court was in session. Their lordships had to hide in their chambers to avoid a thrashing, or worse. This was, to put it mildly, a very low poit in Pakistani political history.”
Adnan Ahmed bhai. Quaid-e-Azam mohd Ali Jinnah was a lwayer too. Do you expect if he had ever come out to protest like this and throw stones. He would’ve fought the battle within legal system.
That being said, shame for police brutality. No excuse for that. Police action was barbaric. Their brutality is also obvious from the photos.
Poud-Pakistani.com has moved a petition on this which can be seen here and signed here.
CJ has already expressed his doubt about composition of council. Now the thing is that one party of the trial is not agreeing on judges, will there be any kind of violation of some law if court doesn’t bring other judges as SJC members for this trial?
I am beginning to feel that Pakistan is a perpetual land trapped in a twilight zone.
Current events are distressing…
Mulzim jesee peshee, hero jesa istaqbal
Coverage of the first day of trial of Chief Justice-Part 1
Coverage of the first day of trial of Chief Justice-Part 2
The same reader who sent the report above sent these pictures taken by him at the Supreme Court today. Thanks.