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).ÂÂÂ
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 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.
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…
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.