Source: Teeth Maestro
By Amjad Malik
What goes around, comes around was a phrase I heard in my childhood and the fate of our outgoing political machinery is pitiful as they are still conspiring, aspiring and dreaming of forming government by hook or crook despite the fact that air is against them, and they do not find any space in the ranks of opposition, and people of Q like a salt are diluting in the political waters of Pakistan as they have no roots in the masses on their own. They are a tribe which never go to jail and is always ready to switch sides at eleventh hour. Those who were claiming to elect a serving General ten times in uniform to the slot of president are biting their nails and the mandate is clear, in comes the chief justice and out goes the President.
Public have spoken once again, and they cheered loudly that its democracy they prefer. Once again mandate has been given to parties holding roots in the masses and we are once again at a crossroad yet again, to respect that mandate and save the integrity and sovereignty of the country or repeat our mistakes like 70’s. We must learn from the mistakes of past when we lost Dhaka shamefully, we daringly are willing to repeat such mistakes. I have been depicting the core of our problems one of which is that we never nip the evil in the bud and we always try to move forward pragmatically without caring the fall outs on state. Hamood ur Rehman commission was quick to depict our weaknesses earlier in 70’s and it tried to put our future straight but we withheld that report for decades which should have been part and parcel of our learning process. I would quote only few relevant paragraphs just to give a glimpse to show how familiar the scene was then, and even now, and I pose a question when will we learn.
The report says in the opening chapter 1, at paragraph (2), “ After analysing the evidence brought before the Commission, we came to the conclusion that the process of moral degeneration among the senior ranks of the Armed Forces was set in motion by their involvement in Martial Law duties in 1958, that these tendencies reappeared and were, in fact, intensified when Martial Law was imposed in the country once again in March 1969 by General Yahya Khan, and that there was indeed substance in the allegations that a considerable number of senior Army Officers had not only indulged in large scale acquisition of lands and houses and other commercial activities, but had also adopted highly immoral and licentious ways of life which seriously affected their professional capabilities and their qualities of leadership”.
In the report at Chapter 1, Para (9), according to Rear Admiral M. Sharif (Witness No. 283) who was the Flag Officer Commanding the Pakistan Navy in East Pakistan, said “the foundation of this defeat was laid way back in 1958 when the Armed Forces took over the country …” While learning the art of politics in this newly assigned role to themselves, they gradually abandoned their primary function of the art of soldiering, they also started amassing wealth and usurping status for themselves.”
And finally in their recommendations at chapter 5 paragraph (3) the commission reported that “The Commission feels that there is consensus on the imperative need to book these senior army commanders who have brought disgrace and defeat to Pakistan. We believe that such action would not only satisfy the nations demand for punishment where it is deserved, but would also serve to emphasise the concept of professional accountability which appears to have been forgotten by senior army officers since their involvement in politics, civil administration and Martial Law duties”.
Did we ever try to learn from our own mistakes? Our soldiers must have learnt that report by heart to try to lift their professionalism but they never could lay their hands on this report, never mind learning it by heart, and alas we kept on experimenting on Pakistan without caring the remarks of our beloved Quaid who prohibited the armed forces from indulging in politics and for the very reason tried to impinge the promotion of General Ayub khan who to him was an aspiring General.
The pity is that Generals always find people like Elahi who are ready to act as collaborators and are ready to dance on their tunes. Those good for nothing politicians are willing to select, elect or support them for demolishing Parliamentary structure & constitution, offering wily nily oath of allegiance whether its politicians or judiciary and bulldozing media without realising that we all are bound to watch the interest of state which is higher than the interest of individuals under Art.5 of the Constitution 1973. Time has come that we analyse our mistakes and hold ourselves accountable to the public and accept their verdict. General Kayani through sheer professionalism within weeks of assuming power ceased this interference in politics and had halted the activities which may jeopardise the whole political process, I think it’s a good sign as nothing has lost yet. He must initiate a drive to revive the role of armed forces which is non political and through professional devoid of lust for power and luxury as enshrined in the law and constitution of the land and he must restore the true image his tribe deserves, as luxury will kill the soldier’s lust to fight for its country. His announcement to declare 2008 as a soldier’s year is a sigh of relief for critics as it will help to promote professionalism in coup de tat fame organisation. However, the politicians as a clan needs to be robust enough and must be above board in order to revive the hope of democracy in Pakistan. Army will come if you call them in the absence of independent judiciary. West can play their role only if you allow them to, otherwise I see no role of United States in government making if the people’s mandate is respected and politicians offer full accountability and ready to go to jail even if it is at for the sake of independent judiciary, rule of law and parliamentary sovereignty and they will be revered from their detention for standing up on principles.
Now coming to the serious point as King’s party was claiming a vote of majority on the basis of their 5 years performance and junta drew their attention towards their deeds. Detained Chief Justice of Pakistan with his colleagues, incarcerated Supreme Court Bar President along with top law men, one former Prime Minister dead due to their failure to protect her, media gagging, Constitution avenue blocked for public, lay Pakistanis are without proper services of main utilities i.e. electricity, gas, oil and clean water and public is fighting for proper flour (atta) distribution was the state of play when Q league was seeking vote of confidence from masses. Nabbed Ministers, Stock exchange crashes, sugar, cement, and oil scandals, Steel Mills reference, missing people without charge and trial, plot allotments, New Murree Project amongst others, unconstitutional amendments, Red mosque, frequent killings in Tribal areas in particular Wana & dama dola, increasing suicidal attacks, and advocating for the justification of emergency actions of 3rd November 2007 actions acted like an icing on the cake of hatred against the king’s party. King’s party did not leave any stone unturned to plunder wealth, or acquire land and bribe the coercive officers whilst they could.
Having said that their so called reconciliation efforts are praiseworthy when we see the way Chief Minister witnessed silently the deportation of Sharif’s family women from Islamabad airport in 2003 via Punjab police, later Shehbaz was deported extra constitutionally on 10 of May 2004 despite Nazim Siddiqui’s implicit observation in the case of SC/55/2003. Chief Justice was tried and his hair was pulled by his Punjab Police who walked free despite a charge sheet was proven against them. Lawyers and media personnel were brutally handled by the mighty force. GEO News office was attacked daringly. On 12th May horse dance show whilst Karachi was lifting dead bodies. Expulsion orders were given to citizens like chocolates. Nawaz Sharif was mistreated and excluded from Pakistan like an enemy of state on 10 of September 2007 despite clear verdict of Supreme Court of Pakistan and finally Be Nazir was greeted with bomb explosion(s) on 18 October 2007 and later she was assassinated sadly on 27 December 2007 outpouring all the civil segment of society on streets of Pakistan. Chief Justice remained without any charge under house arrest and the worst of all his children and family were incommunicado for unknown reasons which is a blunder for which King’s party can never wash their hands from their responsibility to which public declared them guilty of failing to discharge their public duty to uphold the constitution by promoting rule of law.
From 2002-2007 Punjab has been outgrown due to development but selective progress the gulf between poor and rich widened. Nepotism went on rise and one cast preference was visible all over. Rural schools are still without proper toilet facilities and a large schools still sit on floors for tuition and in winter there is no heating facility and children have to move in open to study under sunshine. Young students without books and stipends and the alimony given to poor at the time of election in the sum of 1500 rupees was just a one off show to get their votes. In Punjab free education is still a dream which never came true and it remained confined to costly electioneering advertisements. Punjab was run through Punjab police and we saw one protestor boy was beaten with sticks and his trouser pulled down for just raising concerns for the safety, and well being of his father. Human rights reports were ignored, foreign surveys were ridiculed and opposition was nonexistent in Govt’s papers. They ran Punjab like a Ku Klux Klan who did not see any wisdom in equal treatment, rule of law, justice and freedom of expression. They gave channels licences but tried to buy their loyalty and if could not, gag their tongues without realising that slaves are only slaves until they achieve their freedom.
But with all odds public of educated Punjab outvoted ‘the uneducated’ Chief Minister of Punjab who must listen to the voice of people and try to ponder why he is thrown from the crown of luxury to a bare floor, and only then he will realise that it was all due to immense pride which in the end hath a fall and he could not wipe out the memory of the good work of the true lion of Punjab which was remembered whilst casting votes by the people of Punjab. Public have yet again spoken in favour of PML(N) in particular Shahbaz Sharif in Punjab for his hard work and he must get on as he has an unfinished business to complete what he initiated.
Amjad Malik is a Solicitor-Advocate of the Supreme Court (England) and a political analyst based in UK who can be reached at AMSolicitors@aol.com
E-mail this article to a friend
Tags: , Chief Minister, Democracy, Elections, Punjab
9 responses so far ↓
1 amin // Mar 2, 2008 at 1:39 pm
It is sad on our part and our elders that we never objected to non-constitutional acts. Now let’s hope some reaction.
2 Raza // Mar 3, 2008 at 12:35 pm
Are we (Pakistanis) suddenly awakening up from deep sleep or the new media like this site has brought masses attention to issues ?
3 Wilayat Shah // Mar 3, 2008 at 12:58 pm
Ch. Peja simply supported the destroyers of Pakistan during last 8 years.
The dastoor was crushed twice, adliya was kicked out, poor was forced to commit suicide & still Ch. Peja was looking for PM-ship.
Dheet ho to pejay jaise !!!
4 jasmine // Mar 3, 2008 at 12:58 pm
@Raza
Yes thanks to musharraf who atleast created this Media revolution.
TV channels & Cheap Internet contributes alot. We never knew our problems, we always thought we’ll now vote PPP because Nawaz failed & next time we hoped Nawaz will do well because PPP have been doing corruption.
That wasn’t the problem nor the solutions, Now we know what our problems are and what are the solutions. Thanks to Musharraf on this.
http://www.nerdynews.com/story/Girls_are_always_Forgiven_A_funny_Video/
5 Abdul Basit Khawaja // Mar 30, 2008 at 2:41 pm
It is upsetting to see in newspapers and on tv about the false way of illuminating the election vote count by the Pro-Musharaf forces. The spin doctors, such as Pervez Elahi and Mushaid Hussain are trying to prove that the country is divided on the Musharaf issue and that he is still popular fruitlessly . The truth is just the reverse.
The result of the total valid votes from Election Commission has vigorously announced that the people have rejected the policies of the dictator. The votes accumalated by PPP, PML-N, ANP, MMA(F) are around 17487305 votes where as Pro Musharaf parties have collected 1058182. The victory of margin for MQM in Karachi proves that the turnout was more than 60 % in Karachi which is unattainable as TV stations were reporting that the turnout is low in polling stations while my friends here told me that their vote had already been casted in Hyderabad for the favour of MQM while they were at work thousand miles far in UAE !
Late Benazir’s PPP is first, PML Q is second while Nawaz Sharif’s PML(N) is at third with 6 million on the basis of total votes while on seat basis PPP is first, PML-N is second and PML-Q is a distant third.A point to be noted is that PML-N only had a day to file nominations for their candidates because they decided on the eleventh hour to contest the elections as Nawaz Sharif arrived late from exile. If they had more time, they would have got the 2/3 majority because most of the PML-Q members would have ran back to the parent party-PML-N. It is obvious many would have changed their loyalties from PML-Q to PML-N because presently it can be seen after the elections that many forward blocs from PML-Q faction are coming forward to help PML-N in the parliament. PPP gained primarliy because of the word ‘Bhutto’ associated with them, PML-Q would not have got more than 4 seats if there was no pre poll rigging and the MQM would not have got a single seat if they did not use the ‘art of intimidating voters’.Lately, when Mushahid Hussain Syed and Chaudary Shujaat visited Karachi to meet previous allies, Jatoi’s NPP and Altaf’s MQM, they had to come back with gloomy faces as none of the parties showed their interest in supporting the PML-Q. Its actually the other way round as both Jatoi and Altaf have showed their wholeheartedness to be a part of the government thus the vote accumalated by the Pro Musharaf allies decreases to around 7 million and the vote for Anti Musharaf touches the milestone figure of 20 million.Moreover, PML-Q has failed to formulate the governement in Balochistan because of the alignment of PML Q leaders with Musharaf looks a complete loss to the Balochistan faction of the party and thus they are supporting PPP to form a government.Significantly, famous nationalist parties who have a permanent vote bank due to the tribal system boycotted the elections and the turnout in Baluchistan is reported to be less than 20 %.
With the judiciary issue and Anti Musharaf slogans, Benazir and Nawaz Sharif have benefited by default. So, do you all know who is the real winner then?
The People Of Pakistan.
6 a malik // Jun 3, 2008 at 1:44 pm
Defeating the mind set
By: Amjad Malik
People of Pakistan are elated by coming nearer to the fall of General Pervez Musharraf and considering it a beginning of a new era where rule of law, constitutionalism and justice prevails. They consider this as an end of the status quo, dictatorship, and rule of establishment, however they are hardly aware of the fact that General Musharraf was just a pawn, a little piece of a big jig saw puzzle and the matrix of might is laughing aloud standing on the side disassociating themselves cleverly from the dying man and the dead regime. We are just proud of politically killing a sales man only by 18 Feb polls. People felt the same at the fall of founder of this matrix Gen. Ayub Khan, or Gen. Zia and now they are falling into a trap with the fall of Gen. Musharraf. Nation needs to defeat the mind set of a class which assumes a role to govern this 160 million people by might without any lawful civilian and constitutional authority and it secures dubious authenticity sometimes on the name of referendum and sometimes by the likes of Justice Munir, Irshad Hassan Khan and justice A H Dogar. Our short history is full of these names.
The matrix is laughing out loud as people of Pakistan consider Musharraf and Matrix two different entities now. They will clap and distribute sweets if the Matrix enforce the writ of might again and restore the Chief Justice which politicians could not, or people will clap if a few corrupt are hanged on the crossings for corruptions. People and redundant politicians will welcome the very force if it comes to chuck out their own pawn and Pakistanis will consider it their victory. People will accept the verdict as public demand if the parliament is dismissed on the premises that it failed to respect the popular mandate of ousting the President and restoring 2nd November judges thus making themselves defunct by default and the Court of Dogar with ready made judges of PCO will happily ratify their assault as they are expert in legalising military coup de tats. This 50 years rule of establishment negating ‘one man one vote rule,’ curbing independent judiciary and expansion of financial net work enslaving the nation to international institutions breed lawlessness, violence, hypocrisy and dictatorship of mind and heart thus keeping the nation at large poorer, uneducated, and in apathy. In these circumstances democracy is a dream which may never come true though, the country was built on this promise. And Alas, we have learnt nothing from the fall of Dhaka where one of the reason given was that when a soldier tries to be a politician he looses command of both.
Our rulers are not behind in creating this volatile situation too as they are barren of conscience, principles and politics is merciless and in this ideal environment the matrix find new faces every 10 years who are ready to bear personal oaths of allegiance than to the state. This defecto scenario which is gaining perpetuity can only be defeated by promoting good governance, normalised relations with neighbours, economic revival, educational revolution and quick justice with a system of governance where devolution takes services to the door step of poverty ridden people of Pakistan. Where landlords elite classes are replaced by middle class by design with individuals of immaculate character, professionalism, hard work and passion. It can only be achieved by sheer political will and sacrifice where interest of an individual or party is sacrificed for the interest of state.
We have limited options, still on top would be the joint collaboration for a longer period at least 10 years of the current coalition to work together as they represent Federating units and have roots in all four provinces. By luck they have Nawaz Sharif with an experienced had, and ruling PPP must understand too that they have an enormous responsibility on their shoulder and breaking the status quo requires sheer understanding of the geo political situation and will require joint work with political forces. Second option of course could be the third force of lawyers. People have voted for constitutionalism and if the force at streets gets united due to failure of the stalwart politicians then this grouping can turn into a massive movement. In that case, though status quo may be broken but situation will remain volatile as judges are not trained to take political decisions. This new lawyers era may grab a lot of sympathy and power but their target is just to restore independence of judiciary and 60 judges and running a state would be a hell of a job and risking it with a brand new force may not be wisdom if not backed by institutions. Third option is the realisation of the Matrix itself to enforce constitutionalism amongst their ranks. Quaid e Azam in his address of Staff College Quetta on 14 June 1948 said, “never forget that you are the servants of the state. You do not make policy. It is we, the people’s representatives, who decide how the country is to be run. Your job is only to obey the decisions of your civilian masters.” This is an eye opener for the establishment to re-group, and rethink their required loyalty to state as required by Article 5 of the Constitution of Pakistan 1973 and pave way for true people’s rule in the country.
I feel that time has come to offer that very ‘oath of loyalty to state’ as referred by the founder Mr. Jinnah to all Secretaries, Inspector Generals of Police, all heads of institutions so that rule of law, supremacy of constitution and justice prevails in the country. Little late, then the likes of 12th May groups will be seen all around the country where these warlords carry their guns in Jeeps enslaving the majority akin to situation in Somalia as when there will be economic downfall people will fight to snatch and stay alive. Pakistan is a dream come true, and it requires understanding of the sacrifices of those 4 million who laid their lives for a cause. Enough is enough, the damage to its physical boundaries is done, now people’s representatives have a job to do and they must realise the tenacity of the requisite task as public anger is showing towards indecisiveveness towards mandatory decisions. Matrix of might must foster the civilian rule in the country too before its too late even to ever have a democracy in the country. As it stands, Matrix is looking right into the eyes and saying when do you want us to come to run the state, is it not pity that Musharraf though gone, but will remain in power through his real masters and defeating the mind set remains an unfulfilled task. So much so for western attempts to bring true democracy in Pakistan.
Amjad Malik is a Solicitor-Advocate of the Supreme Court (England) and a political analyst based in UK
2 June 2008
7 a malik // Jun 17, 2008 at 8:07 pm
Long March: a show of public support
By: Amjad Malik
14 June Long March ended inconclusive, where lawyers showed wisdom by curtailing the gathering of masses turning into a mob wiping out the political process emerged as a result of 18 February elections. Lawyers made their point that public wants some sort of credible judiciary and to start with, they have at hand the 2 Nov Judges who refused to take personal oath of loyalty to outgoing General. Lawyers, Civic Society, media and politics of conscience have patiently rang the alarm bells giving time to the civilian govt to meet the public demand reserving the right to come again and next time they may not go back, until judges are restored and accountability is held on streets.
However, pressure to wind up all the ‘sit in’ slogans or threats was all carried out in a bit of a hurry. May be lawyer leaders were a little bit tired or were under pressure of handling thousands on street which was a unique & unprecedented experience. In any event the show was successful and all credit goes to Nawaz Sharif for helping lawyers to muster public support and successful winding up as well as conveying clear threats to the President standing in his back yard. Now one thing is for sure that either this public demand will be met in its entirety and judges will take charge in a few months to come or the whole political process will be wound up to either have new elections or new set up. In any new elections, lawyers may jump in the elections too with the same demand jointly with other political forces or singularly on the slogan of ‘justice for all including judges’ as they have an elected team present to contest from Karachi to Peshawar with a strong net working. The ball is now in the court of the shrewd politicians some of which are still under the impression that President’s survival is a security to the National Reconciliation ordinance which I think is a fallacy. Politicians who have been facing trumped up charges on political grounds must be ready once for all to face the music before a true independent judiciary with sharp teeth. It will not only ensure due process of law, fair trial and will promote a principle of an end to political victimisation of prisoners of conscience where people like Zardari and Javed Hashmi wait for years to have justice. A clear bill of health by free judiciary may only purify them all from the sins of past or by a South African style truth & reconciliation commission where looted money is given back in the public purse.
One thing missing in the whole scheme was the stalwarts of lawyers movement like Justices Wajeeh Uddin Ahmed, Fakhur uddin Ibrahim and Justice Siddiqui who have been vocal on the right direction as this consultation process must never end which differ them from the others. Otherwise progress may be hindered due to civil dictators creeping in the ranks of lawyers movement. Lawyers are different from others only because they consult, take advice from seniors and agree to disagree on all major issues of principle. A few also felt that Justice Chaudhary should have led the long march from Lahore towards Islamabad. He should have concluded the Long march by speaking to masses in the end thanking every one where lawyers in the end proposed a carefully drafted resolution which should have been presented and approved by public at hand and should have been given to politicians in Govt in the morning of 15 so that crowd goes back less dejected. Ali Ahmed Kurd whose fiery claims and speeches always gave a revolutionary approach with which normally things are settled in Pakistan was not there either and was missed dearly. It also gives a lesson that with fiery speeches you may get applause but judiciary does not get independence. It requires sheer political will, joint collaboration and consultation in the national interest, wisdom and sacrifice which is pre requisite to translate this dream into a reality. May be consultation is the key which needs to be mastered in coming days by lawyers.
In the end a word of wise to lawyers that they must not fall a prey to pragmatism and lack of resources thesis. If according to them 5 lacks can join them at Parade ground late at night in the barren lands of Islamabad, the very people have the capacity and courage to manage without food and drink for at least 48 hours so that a taster is given to the dictator for occupying the seat denying the mandate of 18 February elections. At that time, lawyers negotiation teams must have polished their nails to extract a Governmental statement with a concrete promise to restore judges within a time framed deadline and or punishment to those who fired them. At least 48 hours sit in at the same ground would have unnerved all quarters and would have benefitted enormously and lawyers must have left with a date to come back again in case the judges are still on the road.
These are all academic analysis. In all process, Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan deserves an applause for staging a mini referendum against General Musharraf as well as against indecisive Parliament. Now they must pay attention to the fact that whether its Executive Order, resolution or Constitutional package, Judges ought to be restored. Parliament so far has failed to make any progress to restore those judges who were made non functional on the eve of 3rd November against the order of then Chief Justice Iftikhar Choudhary. Road map is given, its do or die stage and I am afraid this time Parliamentarians will be responsible themselves for the downfall of political process if they fail to respect the public demand and the mandate given to them. The so called constitutional package has not yet been presented in the legislative body so far and Parliament is idle killing flies in first 3 months and rulers have vetoed its effectiveness by preferring to settle issues of national importance in drawing rooms and through back channel diplomacy. Unelected are dictating the elected ones and President is heading the gang of unelected who are ready to do any dirty just to please their boss. Two parallel governments are in action, one stops national media airing a top talk show and the other denies any involvement in it. Popular leaders are watching all this helplessly.
Public is gauging the mood of this parliament with a caveat and they have enjoyed coming to street to raise their voice of dissent and if this enjoyment becomes a habit due to inefficiency of our ruling clan then they all will go who used to raise slogans of democracy, rule of law, justice in their election campaigns and did nothing when they came to power for their voters, people, institutions or to strengthen the very parliament they sit in except forming committees over committees to oversee matters until the demand is gone without justice. They have lost sanctity of their words now fear is their asset from those days when public questions their very eligibility to govern.
Amjad Malik is a Solicitor-Advocate of the Supreme Court (England) and a political analyst based in UK
16 June 2008
8 leo // Jun 17, 2008 at 10:39 pm
a flop protest,with ch,himself was not satisfied the way it was turning out
9 a malik // Oct 22, 2008 at 4:46 pm
‘Iftikhar’
Iftikhar is translated as ‘honour ’ in the dictionary, however this one word in Pakistan has gained significance from the name of deposed Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Mohammed Chowdhary who is still waiting for his restoration on 3rd November position. He was dismissed, and detained by General Musharraf as a result of an unlawful military action. Chowdhary not only settled the score of history by challenging the myth that Pakistani judges are always ready to work hand in hand to support its generals , but also tried to nip the very evil in the bud, which is core of Pakistan’s constitutional hap hazard history, the all time notorious ‘law of necessity.’
When we look at these hollow claims that law of necessity is buried forever especially after 20 July, we must analyse as to why there always seem a gap which is filled by our Generals. We need to look at the reasons as to why the country was divided in 1971; corruption allegations always surfaced in civilian rule and military never could hold them accountable as they lacked legitimacy. Musharraf regime despite weak opposition and leaps of dollars could not go nearer to the completion of its seven point’s agenda. In fact, he brought the federation to near collapse. Most ironic is the current civilized government who seems an epitome of mal administration where committee chairmen along with anyone coming to Premier house with warnings is deemed fit to be given ‘Federal Minister Status.’ President house seems to be representing a group amongst one party only than the federation. In these circumstances the slogan or aspiration of rule of law, democracy, justice, and governance seems a wish for the moon. Iftikhar Chowdhary has turned the tide towards the very basic fact that from Karachi to Khyber people demand justice let it be Justice with the state, justice with the nation or justice with the institutions.
Our corrupt mindless politicians have always provided a room for an unlawful intervention. Strong unpoliticised, meritorious and robust judiciary is the need of the hour to break the nexus of the military & judges which always legalized military coup de tats in the short history of 61 years of Pakistan. 9th of March initiated a debate and 20 July was its near climax, however politicians could close the gap after 18 February elections and could have translated the death of Be Nazir towards a new era by forging alliance of political forces that now martial will not be the future of Pakistan. Looking at their 9 months rule, it’s a plethora of deceit, lies, broken promises, bluff, mal administration and corruption. Everyone is trying to do what is not its job & expertise, President wants to be Premier, Premier aspires for love of all by doing nothing, Chief of armed forces doing premiers job when he warns retaliation to foreign invaders, and Advisors -Generals and Ministers trying to do scholars job. Media is partially gagged and at some places its mouth is shut rather than filled with coercive adjustment and or warnings. A few honest are trying to work unnoticeably. Musharraf’s claim to liberate media despite two interceptions has started to look real.
Lawyers who worked hard during last 20 months are regrouping for a bloody battle of clash of ideas as this time it’s going to be very difficult for any Aitzaz to send them home quietly as they will come for a confrontation from home to either successfully secure reinstatement of CJ or Dama Dam Mast Qalandar (end war). The election of Ali Ahmed Kurd to the President of Supreme Court Bar slot, will speed up the resilience and confrontation process as sanity is vanishing rapidly amongst grey haired lawyers and it’s all because of breaching pacts dearer to their souls which are merely proved hollow unreligious words of politicians to Zardari. When we try to compete with India through war of words, they respond by taunting us as to who is begging for survival, and it seems due to incompetencies of our political classes Pakistan has only unskilled people to export as they have nothing fresh to offer to the community of nation.
Addressing to Iftikhar Chowdhary, I can only say a few words, that you did your best; you are an ‘Iftikhar’ for us and hats off to your team who lighted a candle of Justice and rule of Law. But Pakistan is not ready yet for transparency, good governance and rule of law. You will soon hear that the sale of very steel mill you stopped considering an asset, will be given in a ‘buy one, get one free’ deal to the one who loan these beggars as IMF when comes in any compound does not go empty handed. You suffered the summers, and winters in confinement for us, but we are though ready in mind for justice but are reluctant to relive the Zardari’s of our country from their duties considering ‘what will Be Nazir think of us.’ Though they never think if they do not restore the Chief Justice, what will she think of them. Forgive us Iftikhar Mohammed Chowdhary, you may be a pride of the nation, a prize for the unprivileged, but you still are a nightmare for our corrupt elite, unbridled police and bureaucracy. How can you be restored, Pakistani Govt does not afford your recall. They wish to survive with All time respectable trouble free Dogar as he sees nothing, hears nothing, does nothing, and taking a suo moto action even if Angoor Adda mission is accomplished is beyond his comprehension as Supreme Court is on leave after 61 years.
Amjad Malik is a Solicitor-Advocate of the Supreme Court of England & Wales
21 October 2008
Leave a Comment