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
BBC has apparently retracted the attorney general news…at least for now. It came on their headlines for a few minutes but is now gone.
Sindh Attorney General resigned in protest.
BBC Urdu
I assume these websites are monitored. I hope Gen. Musharraf is listening and sees that his actions are turning lots of people like myself who used to liek him to now be against him. He should worry about this. Whatever happens about teh Chief Justice in teh end, here are three things he could do that will help him. (1) stop the mistreatment of protesting lawyers. (2) distance himself from SJC proceedings and let them be free and fair. (3) Please, remove that embarsing Law Minister of yours.
اØتجاج جاری، سول جج مستعÙ
Omar:
Dude, why do you get so irritated?
I stick to what I wrote, Aaj indeed went off air today, soon after it reported that some lawyers were trying to protest outside the president house. It is back on right now, don’t know exactly when it was restored, but it remained off for some time.
And yes, Geo did not have a report on the happenings near the president house at that time. Its latest news headlines just transmitted at 6pm Pakistan standard time are also only limited to Musharaf’s statement and the order by SJC that the suspended CJ should be allowed to meet his lawyers.
I am sorry if any talk of the press being pressurized into silence by the government upsets you for some reasons, but it’s undeniable.
I would not be surprised if the government tried to block coverage of tomorrows proceedings, it got a lot of egg on its face on monday and tuesday when Geo and Aaj really went to town (don’t know about ARY’s coverage).