Adil Najam
The judiciary issue remains an irritant to the mainstream political forces in Pakistan - including not just the current establishment but the current opposition forces struggling to become part of the new establishment.
The announcement from Asif Ali Zardari and Nawaz Sharif that they intend to restore the judiciary within 30 days of the formation of the parliament is good news. But given the constitutional shenanigans that we have all become used to it remains unclear (a) whether they will be ‘allowed’ to do so, and (b) if so just what form a ‘restoration’ might take.
More importantly, this announcement is a recognition of the political reality that the judiciary issue has become. Thanks, in part, to the tenacity and sagacity of Aitzaz Ahsan - who has not emerged as the key leader not only of the “Justice Movement” but of a larger civil society rising - the issue not only survives, but thrives. It never really was just about the Chief Justice, and is now clearly about much more - especially including the independence of the judiciary as an institution, about the rule of law, and about the sanctity of the constitution.
The call for the Lawyer’s Black Flag Week comes from Aitizaz Ahsan in his capacity as the President of the Supreme Court Bar Association, but it is clearly a call that he makes in his stature as a now national leader of a national civil movement. It is a passionate call. A well-worded call. A heart-felt call. A non-partisan call. A call to support constitutionalism. A call that asks no one to break the law, but everyone to register their calling. It is a call that is compelling.
We have admired Aitizaz’s political acumen as well as his poetic instincts in previous posts. He rises above the fray once again in how he words this call for “Black Flag Week.”
Petrol prices are controlled by OPEC and Multinational corporations (oil companies). Even in the US. Petrol has gone from $3.23 to $3.61 per gallon since Feb 18 and still rising. Now tell me how Pakistani elections would affect US oil market? It is hard to see outside your own well. This is where overseas Pakis have advantage. They can look at the whole picture.
On the other hand, if Musharraf had any say in it, and he did it, let me tell you that he is one of the great politicians.
Load shedding: I was in Pakistan in last three weeks of February. There was a news on the front page of Jung that by year 2010 ( two more years) Pakistan will be officially considered a country with low water resources and by 2025, it will have very little water available ( may be you can correct me since you are the Jung guy). What can anybody do to avoid loadshedding. Oil and Electricity prices will keep going up in the summer time all over the word. Why don’t you just wait until the prince of thieves run our country?
I raised a similar point in my blog today (and of course cited your insightful piece) - Zardari has reportedly made “muddled” statements regarding the restoration of the deposed judges versus the status of the current judges - I am curious to know whether the government’s efforts to “restore the judiciary” (an oft-used statement in the media, but with very ambiguous meaning), will be enough to quell this movement and the subsequent protests that have greatly influenced the political arena so far in Pakistan
Quit Musharraf Quit!
Happy Yom-e Adl , We are going to win the fight for the rule of law in Pakistan yet. A Pakistan where NO 22 grade officer will EVER be able to suspend the constitution, fire and illegally abduct judges of the supreme court and make amendments in the constitution in contempt of Supreme Court of Pakistan.
We Fight On!
The parliament is yet to convene and the government yet to form, but the judges are falling over each other trying to clear the corrupt leaders of their past misdeeds. Oh yes, Pakistan will have an independent judiciary. khumbaya, khumbaya
The inconsistencies of arguments are quite annoying.
So, if someone has sided with a “bad” actor in the past therefore they can never do good again. If you follow that logic, no good can possibly ever come.
And how come the “bad” things done by the people we do not like are always worse things done by the people we like. Even when those we support are obviously worse, or at least no better.
Time to rock Gen. (r) Musharraf’s boat once and for all.
I disagree with ‘temporal’ regarding timing of this call by Aitzaz Ahsan. It is his pressure and the call of the Civil Society which has brought this 2 corrupt parties to at least agre on something good. It is high time for Pakistan that the road to Rule of Law and good governance be not put to back burner.
This whole argument about new parliament is itself so senseless knowing that Mushy guy and ISI (and establishment) is still hell bent on doing behind the deals and blackmails.
I prefer Rule of Law over sham democracy and corrupt politicians.
Having said that I am developing some sense of respect about Zardari. Since winning the elections he seem to be showing up a very mature politician.
Bring down Musharraf!