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
Jabir, to some extent I agree. We have won the country but not won the nation yet.
Adil sahib, grow a spine man. Real freedom is not presented on a platter. It demands sacrifice. Being an apologist is futile.
Read history of peoples struggle to know how freedoms are won and protected. People like you will very fondly quote India this and India that, all the while conveniently forgetting the sacrifices they offered for freedom. They won it and protected it after independence.
Alas we won it but lost if to fauji dictators. I do not see any difference in present struggle and the struggle for Pakistan (pre independence era).
And don’t worry about what others say, it turns achay bhalay log into buzdils
Something related with the topic. This image appeared in Daily Express. The video clips were shown on TV in which police was kickig his head.
tinyurl.com/2owv8n
I rechecked twice the year of publication of the paper. It was not the year 1985.
Discple, I think you are wishing some bloody protest like lahore,some bomb blast then you will feel some sort of satisfaction. Who said people of karachi and lawyers are not protesting on road? Unlike other city, Karachi police is demonstrating sign of maturity and not creating any kind of hurdles and allowing protestors to protest freely. Karachi has always played a leading role in every crisis. whether it’s 2005 earth quake crisis or current CJ removal. These were karachiites who played a big role against the censorship of blogs. The other cities are just sleeping nothing else. Don’t do any mistake to underestimate Karachiites :-)
No offence but Karachites are all talk and no action. Why aren’t Karachites protesting outside on the streets as they are doing in Lahore & Islamabad?
No wonder KMB is so busy. That’s all they can do. Those who can’t … preach.