Adil Najam
Over the last number of weeks now we have quietly followed the news on the Chief Justice’s removal case even as the paishis keep happening but also keep getting postponed.
That may happen again today but it should be clear by now to everyone that this issue is not going to die away and as it winds through the system, instead of other (very dramatic) news eroding the importance of this case, the symbolic value of Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry’s stand is actually increasing.
The lawyers will be at the court once again today. Once again there is talk of protests and showdowns. Once again, the likely result is of hearings being postponed. But important events also continue unfolding even as this happens.
A few that are worth reminding ourselves of include:
A bench of the Supreme Court has now served notice on President Pervez Musharraf on the CJ’s petition challenging the filing of a reference against him.
Prominent lawyer Sharifuddin Pirzada has agreed to represent the government in the Supreme Court on the issue, after having declined to do so earlier.
PML-Q is planning a major demonstration in response to the anti-government demonstrations on the issue and, reportedly, has brought in its supporters from other cities for this. There are indications that we may be in for a ‘clash of the protestors’ today.
The National Assembly saw an uproar over the judiciary issue and there were heated exchanges between government and oposition leaders on the CJ issue; not surprisingly, Law Minister Wasi Zafar was in the forefront of trying to suppress the debate.
Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry continues to attract much support and large crowds, especially within the lawyer community, including judges.
Acting Chief Justice Rana Bhagwandas continues to talk the nation ‘will hear good news soon’ line, but it remains clear what that might really mean.
Piecing together the puzzle and making sense of it all is, of course, leading to much speculation everywhere and by everyone. Much of it is exactly that - speculation. But one thing is clear; this case has taken on a life that is bigger than either Gen. Musharraf or Justice Iftikhar would have imagined it would have when things started unravelling three weeks ago.
The reason the issue does not die is because the ISSUE is not the chief justice, it is the Musharraf government. CJ is only the excuse but what you are really seeing is people finally getting fed up with the military government. I hope the military government sees the writing on the wall.
This is a defining moment for Pakistan’s history, the judiciary must not be eaten up by the all powerful military. The people of Pakistan must stand up and deliver, I urge all Pakistanis to rise up and remove this vile monstrous regime as its high time we too have our own revolution ( if Iran can so can we!) and create the Quaids Pakistan.
Imagine a government of national unity governing for all Pakistanis not just the elite with passionate Pakistanis like Sattar Edhi Saab, Ansar Burney, Asma Jehangir, Fakhruddin G.Ebrahim, Farzana Barri, Talat Masood, Najam Sethi, Adil Najam, Fatima Bhutto, Dr Javed Iqbal, Prof Mehdi Hasan, Khurshid Kasuri and the like.
Feimanallah & Pakistan Zindabad
How long can the legal architect of dictatorship keep himself away from his role so he jumps back in. He already shown much restraint by denying first request
on the other move, the additional attorney general of Punjab has also resigned in protest..
Looks like Sharif-ud-Din Pirzada is back in business. Did anyone make a video of Wasi Zafar in NA?
Events are murky at best. I have not been able to get any clear picture of what is transpiring. From communications with friends in Islamabad I gather that none of the parties involved in this case have a clear support from public because both have some skeletons hidden the their closets…
Saad,
Honestly, I wanted to, but the guys looked too intimidating for me to take their pictures. I am sure Omar Qureshi’s newspaper and the electronic media must have captured the scene.
MQ, did you manage to take any pictures?
As if the residents of Islamabad had not seen enough of danda wielding women and men already, this morning they woke up to see tons of well-fed and ill clad strangers, bearing clubs, unloaded in their otherwise quiet localities. It turned out they were goons hired and carted to Islamabad by the Shuj of Guj to launch a counter protest against the protesting lawyers in the ongoing Supreme Court saga.
How I wished they would march to Jamia Hafsa!
Adil there’s a difference between a case being adjourned and postponed — the SJC is meeting regularly and has hearings — dont know where you that the hearings are postponed — they are not — in fact the last time, arguments lasting over two or three hours were heard