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.
It’ll be hilarious if the opposition files the papers for Chief Justice of Supreme Court for nominations for the Presidential race! If amendment to constitution is made with the support of PPP then CJ should file papers as well. If COAS can keep dual offices, why not the CJ?
In a banana republic which Mush has converted Pakistan to…everything should be made possible… We as “awam” are having a hell of a time laughing. I still admire BB for putting a collar on a tinpot commando running wild…
Starting September 1st, you will hear Mush Bhai singing songs of BB and her leadership.. Pretty soon he’ll be at her mercy and beck and call.. Works for me, BB is a democrat and a politician with roots in all 4 Provinces of Pakistan.
For me anyone, may it be BB or Nawaz or Imran or Qazi Hussain or others are acceptable. As long as they come through the ballot box and don’t serve a military dictator. I do not care if they were corrupt, no matter how much because it is for the people of Pakistan to decide that through the power of their vote.
As for Altaf Bhai…sorry, I do not include him as a politician..yes a terrorist, mass murderer and anti-Pakistan, he is!
When all else has failed, Mush is asking Nawaz to abide by the agreement not to return to Pakistan. He who has broken one promise after another to the Nation expects NS to not do the same; how ironic.
It is also clear now that Mush won’t change; the deal is now hinging on Mush asking BB to support amendments to the constitution to keep him in Uniform and do away with the 2 year condition for a govt servant to run for election. Yes, he would comply with the constitution – if the constitution does not agree with him, he would merely change it to comply with his wishes. I think this will be out of the hands of the courts if the “lame duck” parliament passes these amendments by 2/3rd majority. Does he have the 2/3rd vote if PPP votes for him?
Barrister Ahsan is right. BB is an astute politician. The way she has brought this Tin Commando to his knees is amazing…
The so called deal is actually;
* Get out of the uniform.
* Revoke Presidential Powers to dissolve assembly..
* Get rid of the amendment about 3 times PM..
* Get rid of the current election commission..
* Declare publicly that you support PPP
* Get rid of the all cases against all politicians..
Mush will have to put himself at the mercy of new parliament to get elected…
We are truly heading towards exciting times. May it be Nawaz or BB, both are national leaders and both should be welcomed by all Pakistanis. We have had enough of turncoats or militant terrorist parties ruling our country under the shadow of a coward whose only macho strength has been at killing innocent Pakistani citizens.
An animation
This short animation film made in 2004 has been awaiting public screening for a long time.
Now that the Supreme Court of Pakistan has nullified the “agreement” between Nawaz Sharif and the present military government, thus giving Nawaz Sharif the chance to go back to Pakistan, I believe this film would really turn stale if it does not reach you right away. So, here it is.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQtJc8b6pik
First it was Imran Khan now Asma Jahangir.. Is it time for MQM to mend it’s ways? If anyone made Musharraf’s position weak, it was MQM’s mayhem in Karachi on May 12th!
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KARACHI: MQM slams Asma Jahangir
DAWN Staff Reporter
KARACHI, May 16: Terming Asma Jahangir a `chauvinist lady