Adil Najam
Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry arrives in USA today for a speaking tour, including a visit to the Harvard Law School to receive their Medal of Freedom. One wonders if this is the last hurray for a dying cause or yet another reminder that this is a cause that refuses to die?
On the face of it, Asif Ali Zardari’s elected government has done what Gen. Pervaiz Musharraf’s military government could not. All but the most diehard have given up on the hope for the restoration of Justice Chaudhry. But is the “Justice Movement” also dead?
For Pakistan’s sake, one hopes not.
Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry was, and remains, the face of the Justice Movement. But the Justice Movement was always bigger than him. Those who were mobilized by the movement were mobilized by much more than an ousted judge. Indeed, they were mobilized by more than just a disdain for military rule. Ultimately, they were mobilized by the idea that justice, as a concept, must prevail. That the integrity of nations flows from the integrity of its institutions. That, ultimately, the democratic spirit of a people is always more important than any leader – whether that of a judicial system, that of a military junta, or even that of an elected government.
As I had written way back on March 23, 2007:
Gen. Musharraf himself, and his supporters, view this as a conspiracy against his person. It may not be a conspiracy but his opponents certainly view this as an opportunity to bring an end – or at least seriously dent – his regime. There are, of course, also those who view – or wish to construct – Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry as an arch villain or as a supreme hero. He is probably neither, but as a man caught in the cross-hairs of history he is well aware of the pivotal role that his person plays out in this unfolding saga…
This is not just about what Gen. Musharraf did, not about how Iftikhar Chaudhry reacted; the real story is about how the citizenry of Pakistan reacted. There is little surprise in either the actions of Gen. Musharraf or the reaction of the Chief Justice. The surprise lies in how people reacted – Lawyers on the street, media in their newsrooms, bloggers in bloggistan, and ordinary citizens everywhere in their thaRRas, drawing rooms, email lists and everywhere else.
That is ultimately what matters. If this spirit can be sustained then the future of democracy in Pakistan is secure; whether it comes with or without the current setup… This has been Pakistan’s democratic moment; that I find it to be a moment worthy of celebration because it signifies that trapped inside an “undemocratic state†lies a vibrant and clearly “democratic society.â€
We remain, I believe, a democratic society. We now also have an elected government. But it is not yet clear whether we are a democratic state. If we are ever to become one, then the Justice Movement must never die.
P.S. The video above is a GEO TV production based on Aitizaz Ahsan’s poem Kal, Aaj aur Kal which he had written while under house arrest. Whatever poetic merits the poem might lack it is an immensely powerful and honest political statement. So is this video. Both are powerful not only because of the sense of history that they embody, but also because of the hopes of the future that they embody.
After a long time of our history a man /a pakistan/a marde mujahid,Chief Justice Iftikhar Choudhry has raised ih voice against misdeeds by Gneral Mushrraf and his people whom he was supporting them in lieu of their support to save his throne. For that he was under gonemany cruelties but saved from death by advoctes movement with the support of media and civil society.but his remains are still there in government/parliament.MARDE MUJAHID PURI MUSLIM/PAKISTANI QUAM KA SALAMSWITH DUA FOR OUR SUCCESS
Geo
Asad,
This is the part of the post I was referring to:
“There are, of course, also those who view – or wish to construct – Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry as an arch villain or as a supreme hero. He is probably neither, but as a man caught in the cross-hairs of history he is well aware of the pivotal role that his person plays out in this unfolding saga
I respected Iftikhar Chaudhry and his determination to defy the previous government for the sake of justice. But when he turned to politicians such as Aitizaz Ahsan for support, I became suspicious of his intentions.
If he was really innocent and truly believed in justice – he wouldn’t have turned to people like Aitizaz Ahsan for help. Aitizaz Ahsan, for all his purported intellectual mindset is still the person who defended Benazir and Zardari in 14 anti-corruption cases and served under them as Federal Minister/various other capacities. No one can deny that Benazir and Zardari were one of the most corrupt leaders we have had. Anyone who was willing to defend them in court – surely has little regard for justice and certainly does not deserve respect.
The final straw was when Iftikhar Chaudhry turned to Nawaz Sharif for help. Nawaz Sharif himself had illegaly removed Chief Justice Sajjad Ali Shah and whose party members had stormed the Supreme Court.
The political expediency that Nawaz Sharif and Aitizaz Ahsan showed in supporting Iftikhar Chaudhry only reflected their desire to unseat Musharraf – who I admit should have resigned long before all this – as far back as 2005. But the nation was clearly misled by false prophets such as Iftikhar Chaudry and Aitizaz when they turned out for their support. The partnership of Iftikhar Ch./Aitizaz/Nawaz Sharif was just a nexus between selfish, and self-serving anti-government forces whose interests coincided only so far as the removal of Musharraf was concerned.
Our awaam forgot the pasts of Aitizaz (who now poses as a champion of justice and once defended Benazir and Zardari in court) and voted Zardari into power. One of the major reasons for this is that our awaam is ill-informed and was misled.
We should stop hoping for justice by looking toward political figures and Chief justices with suspect motives. We have to care about Pakistan and try to make a difference in our daily lives for Pakistan if we are really to move closer to an ideal of justice. Start off by doing your duty and not breaking laws like evading or not paying taxes at all, breaking red light at the signal, overcharging/fleecing customers in our businesses, littering, becoming more informed citizens and helping others become more informed too.
Its convenient for Pakistanis who are living abroad to act as advocates of justice and express hope that the so-called justice movement is strengthened. They look towards Lawyer’s movement/the people who turned out in its support/Aitizaz/former CJ and keep glorifying them (taakeh hum relax hojaeein aur haath pe haath rakhay baithay rahein). If you are really concerned about Pakistan do something concrete to strengthen Pakistan or to contribute. At the very least, try to analyse current affairs in a better way and unmask the false prophets for they really are.
This is from THE NEWS about Iftikhar Chaudhry’s reception in New York:
Deposed chief justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry arrived in New York where hundreds of people warmly welcomed him.
Sami Ibrahim of Geo News reported that the hundreds of people relating to Pakistani community including students, workers of political parties, lawyers and civil society warmly received deposed chief justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry at the JF Kennedy Airport of New York.
On this occasion, flower petals were showered on the deposed chief justice and enthusiast slogans were chanted in favour of the restoration of the chief justice and against the government.
According to sources, a convoy of more than four dozen vehicles came to the airport to receive the deposed chief justice and this convoy will take him to the hotel where he would stay during the visit.