Adil Najam
The judiciary issue remains an irritant to the mainstream political forces in Pakistan – including not just the current establishment but the current opposition forces struggling to become part of the new establishment.
The announcement from Asif Ali Zardari and Nawaz Sharif that they intend to restore the judiciary within 30 days of the formation of the parliament is good news. But given the constitutional shenanigans that we have all become used to it remains unclear (a) whether they will be ‘allowed’ to do so, and (b) if so just what form a ‘restoration’ might take.
More importantly, this announcement is a recognition of the political reality that the judiciary issue has become. Thanks, in part, to the tenacity and sagacity of Aitzaz Ahsan – who has not emerged as the key leader not only of the “Justice Movement” but of a larger civil society rising – the issue not only survives, but thrives. It never really was just about the Chief Justice, and is now clearly about much more – especially including the independence of the judiciary as an institution, about the rule of law, and about the sanctity of the constitution.
The call for the Lawyer’s Black Flag Week comes from Aitizaz Ahsan in his capacity as the President of the Supreme Court Bar Association, but it is clearly a call that he makes in his stature as a now national leader of a national civil movement. It is a passionate call. A well-worded call. A heart-felt call. A non-partisan call. A call to support constitutionalism. A call that asks no one to break the law, but everyone to register their calling. It is a call that is compelling.
We have admired Aitizaz’s political acumen as well as his poetic instincts in previous posts. He rises above the fray once again in how he words this call for “Black Flag Week.”
I dont know how the big names like Mr. Etizaz (my favourite man) etc etc are asking for return of CJ Chowdhary Iftikar.
In one hand they accept CJ who also oath under emergency and in the other hand they dont accept the judges who oath under the 2nd. emergency. why?
either you accept the both emergencies or nothing. And go back to the judges who were in action before the two emergencies , in my opinion this is the correct decision or the 2nd emgerncy oath judges also legaly. you decide…..
should we cry or laugh. we will have mr. 10 percent destroy the economy that Shaukat Aziz built and then Nawaz will stab him in the back and come with 2/3 mandate. and the cycle will repeat. luddi hai jamalo, pao luddi ……….
I knew this is going to happen. The most deserving candidate for the post of PM (Amin Fahim) has been thrown out by Zardar with the help of Nawaz Sharif (as his party vetoes the decision, so that AminFahim should not be considered for premiership), In return, Zardari agreed to make the government with PML-N and restore the judges and let NS take revenge from a person who kicked him out of the country.
What’s next??? Mr.10%, the Prime Minister of Pakistan???
Pakistan ka Allah hi Hafiz, thats why I think something that maybe we deserve these corrupt politicians.
Jaisay Awam, Waisay Hukmaran.
Father of this nation had, in unequivocal terms not once but on many occasions, declared that the military will remain subservient to the civilian government in Pakistan. Unfortunately, right the opposite had been the case no sooner The Quaid closed his eyes. Once again, we have the opportunity to throw up a civilian dispensation, however incompetent and or currupt, let them do their job. Let the judiciary be indpendent and impartial, let the freedom of expression via the meadia or otherwise with responsibity, prevail. Let the Constitution work which has sufficient remedy to rectify the wrong doings, if any, of the government in power. There is no need of any un-authorised third umpire to intervene. The lawyers movement for the restoration and independence of judiciary, rule of law and justice is the only way federation can remain united. God bless our country.
Aitizaz Ahsan and his principle stand makes all of us proud to be Paksitan