In a strange episode of Talat Hussain talk show, Talat is opposing the struggle for restoration of judiciary on the basis of principal of compromise and necessity. His argument is that keeping in view constraints on economy and national security whether it is feasible to continue a resurgent movement for restoration of judiciary. The arguments like these are always employed to justify dictatorship and injustice so why Talat Hussain is employing these arguments now.
In my view, movement for democracy is not complete until rule of law is established. The rule of law and constitutional governance in case of Pakistan can not be established until an independent judiciary revokes all the illegal actions of dictatorship especially those on 3rd November 2007. As part of establishing independent judiciary Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chudhary and his fellow judges who did not take oath under legal framework order of General Pervaiz Musharraf have to be restored.
Until we have constitutional rule, and courts capable of upholding constitution and justice even when faced with guns(of our own army or else) we can not be considered as law abiding and democratic country. In such a case, ordinary people also can not expect access to justice. To allow all the people equal access to justice we have to reject all the steps of dictators, hold the dictator and his accomplices responsible before the court of law and then and only then constitution and parliament would be supreme and we would have access to justice regardless of any constraints.
The world today either sides with dictators like Musharraf or with corrupt politicians like Asif Zardari, because these can be manipulated to serve the interest of world. We people of Pakistan appeal to ordinary people of world, media and governments that they should help us in achieving our noble goal of establishing a democratic, free and just society which is not possible without restoration of judiciary led of Chaudhary Iftikhar.
May Allah help to establish justice in our society, Ameen.
Links:
http://pkpolitics.com/2008/11/14/live-with-talat-14-november-2008/
Story about Justice Iftikhar:
http://pakistaniat.com/2008/11/16/iftikhar-chaudhry-harvard-medal-aitiza/
Here is the story above from times:
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?
WPvideo 1.10
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.”
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.
