The people are raising their voice. They are fighting for what is legal. Pakistan is in news these days, but for all the wrong reasons. Suddenly, the sacking of Supreme Court Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry by President Musharraf on March 9 sent shock waves all around the sub-continent. The reason given was abuse of authority.
President Musharraf unhesitatingly defended the suspension of the independent-minded chief justice.
But the fact behind is that, Musharraf feared legal challenges to his rule could have been brought to the Supreme Court. He is likely to seek approval for another term as head of state from the outgoing Parliament under provisions of the constitution amended in 2003 that enables him to be president as well as army chief. The move has been welcomed in the country by protests from lawyers, political groups, and other opposition parties. And to add fuel to the fire, six judges have resigned in protest over the untimely sacking of the Chief Justice. Lawyers boycotted courts in Lahore, Karachi, Quetta, and several other cities and towns in the country. This was followed by a forceful police response and the arrests of hundreds, including lawyers and opposition activists. Though, President also condemned the police crackdown against protesters and acknowledged the mishandling of the situation by the government.
The government stubbornly denied any political motive behind the dismissal. Although, the President has condemned the police action following the incident, but he denies any hand in removing the Chief Justice. To shed the charges on him, the President boasts of handing over the case against the Chief Justice to the Judicial Complaints Council, following “all norms of justice.” The ball is in the council’s court, which is a panel of top judges that handles complaints of wrongdoing in the higher judiciary. It can either confirm or throw out the alleged complaints against Chaudhry.
The present situation has given a chance to the opposition in particular to amass the allegations against the government. Leaders like Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif are to hold an unscheduled meeting in London to discuss opposition strategy in the judicial crisis. Few have described the current turmoil in the country as the biggest crisis since 1971. On the other hand, Pakistan’s senior most judge Mr. Bhagawandas would be sworn in as acting Chief Justice any time now amongst speculations.
The political turmoil in the country has continued since Musharraf took over the reign in his hands and sacked the Sharif government. But what norms of Law and Justice have been followed since then? The country and countrymen are questioning today. The country wants peace. But Musharraf wants another term both as President and also Army chief. Time will only tell, whether he succeeds in his motive or not. Who will challenge the abuse of authority by him?
