Adil Najam
In yet another historic decision, the Supreme Court of Pakistan has decided that former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, exiled by Gen. Musharaf, can return to Pakistan. According to The News:
The Supreme Court of Pakistan in a landmark verdict on constitutional petitions of Mian Nawaz Sharif and his brother Mian Shahbaz Sharif, Thursday announced that Sharif Brothers are Pakistanis and can return home and participate in the national politics. The seven-member larger bench of the apex court, led by Chief Justice Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, in a brief judgment said that under Article-15 of the constitution, the petitioners are citizens of Pakistan and therefore their petition is hearable. According to the Supreme Court’s decision, under Article 3 of the constitution no citizen of the country can be kept outside the country and cannot be stopped from his or her return to home.
The document presented by the government on previous day has no constitutional position. Senior lawyer Fakhruddin G. Ibrahim appeared before the court in the case on behalf of Sharif Brothers. Attorney-General Malik Qayyum, Ahmed Raza Kasuri and Ibrahim Satti were the counsels of the federation. Reacting on the decision, Hamza Shahbaz, son of Nawaz Sharif, talking with Geo News said that the Supreme Court’s decision is the victory of Nawaz Sharif’s eight-year stand. During these eight years, Sharif Brothers have spent very hard time. He said that this decision is not the victory of any individual but of Pakistan.
The Pakistan Muslim League (N) has welcomed the verdict announced by the larger bench of the Supreme Court. Leader of party Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said that a delegation of his party would soon go to London to determine the procedure of the Sharif Brothers’ returning home. Immediate after the decision, people seemed very enthusiast outside the Supreme Court and thousands of PML (N) workers chanted slogans.
The Supreme Court of Pakistan has, once again, rendered a decision that has not just created a buzz but effectively changed the entire political landscape of Pakistan. The big news here is the potential return of Nawaz Sharif but the continuing big news is that the institutional reincarnation of the Supreme Court of Pakistan which has become which has effectively become what it was meant to be. The final arbiter of constitutional sheninigans by political forces.
This means that unless extraordinary measures are taken by the government, we could be set for a real political showdown in the next elections. What this does to PML(Q) – or for that matter to PML (N) as well as other parties – is to be seen. But heads will already be spinning about which karwatt this oont will eventually settle.
It is also interesting that while all the deal-talk went on between Benazir Bhutto and Pervaiz Musharraf, Nawaz Sharif’s political capital might actually have been expanding. Even if he had stuck to principal just because he could not do otherwise, there are many who have actually found his stand to be ‘principled’ and it is likely that between that and this decision, his political capital has in fact increased… at least in the short term. What remains to be seen is whether he and his party will be able to politically capitalize on this; and how.
PatExpat says:
August 23rd, 2007 10:40 am
When Musharraf decides to share the bed with Benazir by dropping off all cases of corruption, you guys become silent.
When justice prevails and rights of a citizen are restored, you start harping the tune of slaves that Musharraf is our savior.
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PatExpat: This is what I call the “spin doctrine”. Some examples of writers on this blog;
“I am against Army rule, but what choice do we have….”
“I for one am pro-democracy but alas, we can’t accept BB or Nawaz”
“I am against what MQM did on May 12th but am confused if they really had a part in it….”
“I don’t support Altaf but he is a popular leader and has the support of masses so who am I to say anything…..”
“I am for free judiciary but …….”
and so on…..
Rejoice the day offer nafal that finally the judiciary is free.. Tomorrow will be a better day and hopefully the politicians understand also that times have changed and follow rules…
BB,NAWAZ,IMRAN KHAN or mushy they are pictured equally tyranic and angelic by the participants here.
Mush may be good and he might have done a load of good to country but whoever it is my point is that people of pakistan should be given the right to choose their own government. martial dictator may have excellent performance but his route to power disqualify him for governing over people.
Let the people of pakistan choose their favorite in free fair elections, be it BB, nawaz, ch. ifftakhar or some one else. We may be wrong in electing a govt this time but an uniterrupted sifting of leaders will not keep us from a good democratic effective govt of the people, by the people, and for people for long.
Excuse me, this is our turn. let us choose and mush + ch. ifftakhar are welcome to contest too provided they shed their uniform and public office.
i have read lots of times “Shah se zyda shah ka wafadar”, Sher Afgan proved it once again by not accepting SC’s decision.
The interesting thing would be, when Sharif comes in power and Ifti keeps playing current role and not allowing him to do unfair exercises which he did in past, then I would see how much shareef or B.B respects judiciary.
It’s time to reopen case against altaf hussain as well for killing of Azeem Tariq,Khalid Bin Waleed and several Karachiites.
noting the cities and areas where celebration is being made today and where it is not shows a divided nation.
auk
You make a great point and I fully agree. I think election commission will become a target of the judiciary very soon. As long as the judiciary remains independent, we can be confident that we will live to see better days in Pakistan.
We as Pakistanis live in such dejection and hopelessness that at the very least all of us should rejoice these few moments of freedom and landslide decisions being given by the Supreme Court. This is a time to be excited, hopeful and looking to a better future!