Judges 16 to 29

The proposed increase in the number of the Supreme Court judges from 16 to 29 reminds me an anecdote which allow me to share with your readers.

When the position of the Adjutant General Pak army fell vacant, General Zia asked for the names of the probable from the VCOAS General Beg, who sent him the names of 11 generals of his choice. Seeing the list General Zia enquired from his Chief of Staff "“ General Rafaqat "“ as to whose name was not in the list and finding the missing name appointed Gen. Abdul Waheed Kakar as the AG "“ somewhat to the dismay of  Gen. Beg.

A few days later Gen. Zia sent an application of the daughter of a politician seeking  admission in the Armed Forces Medical College, to Gen Beg with the remarks to accommodate her. Gen Beg forwarded it to the AG under who the college came with the remarks "˜The President desires her to be admitted".  Gen. Kakar known for his uprightness regretted as she was on the merit list. Gen. Beg, pleased in his heart at the "˜defiance' of the AG appointed by Zia himself over his shoulders, sent the file to the President saying that the AG did not agree to the admission.

A few days later Gen. Zia walked unannounced into the office of the AG and asked him about the girl's admission.  AG still adamant said, "Sir under the rules she cannot be admitted, but if you order I will do it", and he pushed the file to the President for his orders. Zia couldn't muster the courage of flouting his own laid down rules and felt uncomfortably cornered. "But I am sure there must be a way out to it", he persisted. "Sir, I have examined all options but she is 79^th on  merit list and we have only 60 seats. Almost resigning to the inevitable Zia started walking slowly towards the door, but before reaching it he suddenly turned back and ordered the number of the seats to be raised to 80 from 60.  This was within his powers to do. The girl got her admission.

Zia increased the intake of the AFMC from 60 to 80, so has Zardari raised the number of the SC judges from 16 to 29.  So what if the number is more than that of the USA or India? After all Pakistan is the largest Muslim state in the world and on the top of it a nuclear power too !

Truly

Col.  Riaz Jafri (Retd)

30, Westridge-1

Rawalpindi 46000

Tel : (051) 546 3344