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
Interesting but understandable reaction from politicians. Most are still sitting on the sideline; some are paying lip service but nothing concrete. Mullahs have as usual hijacked the political side to ensure the protest does not go in a direction ultimately undesirable for Army.
It’s very clear that no political party wants a truly independent Judiciary. All have plenty of skeletons, and not even in closet - everyone knows about them. The reinstating of CJ and an independent Judiciary is in the interest of none of the powerful groups. This puts the CJ in a difficult position with no supporter of any real strength behind.
It also shows vast difference between what the politicians want and what public desires. While public hopes for a just system, politicians (all of them) aspire for a system running under their control and which is a threat only to their opponents.
There are also some issues about the behavior of the CJ himself though. He should not have sat in that car brought by that PPP MNA. He should avoid doing anything that can even remotely suggest political partiality. He could have gone with Aitezaz Ahsan and that would have been ok because Aitezaz is his lawyer in the hearing.
Then there are some other questions that should be debated widely. Is the constitutionally prescribed method of appointing the SJC appropriate? How much can members of the judiciary be reasonably expected to hold their own peers accountable? Has this system worked in the past? How many corrupt judges have faced action?
And in the event of a CJ being investigated for corruption or abuse of office, isn’t there an inherent conflict of interest because his ouster naturally creates more promotion opportunities for all his juniors.
But I am not very hopeful that these questions will be debated.
Well said critic, this protest has become so embarrasing for the government precisely because it is not centered around someone badly tainted like BB or NS. The charges against the CJ may or may not be true, but he also made some very good judgements and had become a thorne for the government.
People who have been regularly calling for the return of BB/NS in the zeal for democracy are badly off the mark, in fact the sooner our discourse on democracy goes beyond them the better. Such characters not only harm the country but also bring a bad name to democracy itself.
I agree with Owais, this picture of the lawyer throwing the stone and look on his face is not good and not worthy of respect. I deplore the violence by the police but lawyers taking law in their own hands is also not right. To see lawyers and police fighting like this and chief justice being beaten next day, I do not get much confidence in LAW and ORDER in Pakistan. No wonder no one respects the law. Not even lawyers.
I think both are true. They were tired of Mush and wanted some one good they could follow which was the CJP. After all you dont see them supporting Nawaz or BB.
Are these people getting a beating because they really like Iftikhar Chaudhry or because they are really tired of Musharraf?
I think it is the second thing. Which means Musharraf is in real trouble!
in MUSHI WE TRUST !!
LONG LIVE MUSHI & LONG LIVE PAKISTAN!
Owais Mughal,
About Quaid-e-Azam Jinnah… do check out his two famous protest marches… the one againt Lord Wellingdon in Bombay and the other one against Simon Commission….
Even constitutional lawyers get riled up some times…