Read between the lines or else you are doomed

Supreme Court of Pakistan in general and its Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhary in particular must be very attentively listened by our VVIPs namely President and Prime Minister as in just last few days some steps taken by SC warrant strict and immediate action otherwise the situation can take a serious and unpleasant turn which much be avoided in any case.

Supreme Court’s issuance of contempt of court notice to PM Syed Yusuf Raza Gillani is not just a notice as one may think of rather it is much more than that because thereby PM has been asked to appear in person before the court and not otherwise. Customarily speaking, in each and every country including Pakistan, PM is none but head of the government and therefore he not only commands but also demands due respect from each and everyone but if still he is served with a contempt notice then there must be some very strong and irrefutable reasons otherwise SC had not taken it up alike. Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan who is pleading on behalf of PM before SC has been told by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry on last hearing that there is a possibility that PM may be indicted on next hearing on 13^th instant where PM shall have to appear in person before the SC bench. No denying the fact that till now no formal charges have been framed against PM but there are some indications that PM may be jolted a bit in the next hearing. Frankly speaking, issue of contempt notice itself, with no reference to whether PM is honorably acquitted or indicted is very much insulting to be honest. Simple and common prudence demands that none irrespective of the position and or authority should act in any manner which may attract any derogatory notice and certainly there are always some who are never ever issued any insulting notices but if someone acts contrary to the established code of governance than how can a stinking tinkle can be avoided. 13^th Feb is not that distant away in any case and not only PM Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani but the nation as a whole has been gripped to impatiently wait for another six more days to know as to what is destined for our VVIP.

Yet another jerk and jolt of Supreme Court must waken up those who man our power corridor. As many as 28 parliamentarians both at provincial and federal level have been unseated in just one stroke of pen which is certainly a blot on the face of our government and it simply cannot be construed to a laurel for it from any angle or point of view. None whosoever whether in my beloved Pakistan or any other country contests election to be unseated otherwise he or she will straight away shun off the elections rather being crowned for a while and then thrown off face wise to taste dust but one way or the other this what has happened with our 28 persons under the reference. The list includes 3 senators and amongst them two is even sitting federal ministers namely Finance Minister Abdul Hafeez Sheikh and Petroleum Minister Dr Asim Hussain. Rests are MNAs and MPAs who belong to different factions including ruling PPP.

Why did it happen? Did it happen unnoticed? Way back on 9^th May, 2011, SC has observed that bogus voters must be removed from the electorate and Election Commission must conduct elections on the basis of certified voters lists only and therefore the government had been given ample time to rectify its mistakes and prepare new lists of voters to avoid bogus voting. SC after a gap of more than six months had conducted its next session on the issue on21st December and wished that the task must be finished by 19^th Jan but regretfully the needful was done till then so SC had no alternative but to announce that it will have to take some punitive action if its orders are not carried out by 6^th February. The dawned as blank as before hence Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhamamd Chaudhry had to suspend the legislative membership of 28 members who have been elected through by polls after the passage of 18^th amendment. He further decreed that the suspension will remain effective till 20^th amendment is passed.  I very seriously doubt if suspension is an applause and not condemnation.

Balochistan MPA Mir Bakhthiar Domki’s wife, daughter and driver had been killed in Karachi on 30^th January when unidentified persons chased the car and opened indiscriminate firing on the occupants whereby the three occupants were killed and the culprits could just run away as it happens in most of the cases. Police has registered a case and started its investigation and announced that no stone will be left unturned to arrest those who committed such heinous crime. However, Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chauhdri took suo motu notice of the killings and ordered IG, Sindh to appear before him on the issue. On 6^th February when provincial chief appeared before SC bench, Chief Justice Iftikhar showed his displeasure about the efforts what police have put is so far and ordered that the killers must be arrested in just 4 more days and it fixed 10^th Feb as next hearing on the issue. No denying the fact, mood and tone of CJ has given a very clear signal to IG that if still his orders are not complied with and the killers are not arrested by the dead date then tables are likely to be turned over who not many would like for sure but what to do otherwise. SC orders are issued for strict compliance and not avoidance.

On 6^th February while Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry addressing officers of Constable Institute of Management pronounced that government officers must not be afraid at all to carry out the orders in true spirit without caring as to who is hurt and how much. He also announced that in case if any officer fails to carry out any orders due to any pressure or unpleasant consequences etc then that officer must revert to higher judiciary for dispensation of justice. He eulogized the efforts of those officers who discharge their duties without any fear and favor and at the same time he laments those who are not coming up to the expectations of those who have invested powers in them. He was very much vocal to say that higher judiciary has a dual role to play because on one hand it always guards all those persons who do need protection and support while on the other hand it is prime function of the court to punish those who disregard the laws of the land. I think CJ message is quite clear and loud.

Summing up, during the recent past, there have been so much haggling between President, PM and SC on various subjects and topics that the pleasure and the affinity likely to be prevailing amongst the three important components of governance is at least diminishing if not missing but the situation must improve upon otherwise there could be some very serious head on which none will like including the three under reference. It is not only very high but ripe too that we must straighten up to pool our all sources and resources to make Pakistan strongest possible so that our flag flutters atop, aameen.

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With my honest and solemn prayers

Iqbal Hadi Zaidi / Kuwait /