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Yesterday, I have learnt, general-president gave some "dhuandar jawab" to Kamran Khan on Geo. I did not see that programme, as my 'digestive system' is not strong enough to gulp all these from our most intelligent ruler. But I was told that, the general, acknowledgeing some procedural mistakes in handling the case, gave quite convincing and strong reasons justifying his totally constitution action against the CJ. And many were a little bit convinced by him. Earlier also, he in public meetings, and his somewhat reasonable minister shaikh rashid (particularly in present context) on TV, boasted that the government has enough material against the CJ. shaikh rashid even said that, Nayeem Bukhari's letter is not main subject in this reference. I don't have to repeat the stance of the general and his government stooges about the huge materials available to him. Like many other, excluding the government brains, my question is if the goverment has such overwhelming materials against the CJ, then why all such naked acts, and why then committing of more blunders one after another, with same zeal and confidence? Why the general and his party did not allow the CJ to expose automatically before the public?
Then again, why there are special offers to CJ for finding some face saving solutions (in the news a few days ago), or why request to the disgraced CJ for a "middle ground" (in the following news item)? Do all these show that, the general was right in his action, and all the actions afterwards of his government? Do all these not place the disgraced CJ on moral higher (higher than before on every passing day) ground? Also the CJ's rebukal of very offer for "middle ground", as stated in following write up if correct, does not show the CJ has sufficient moral strength based on reasons against the general-president and his chaotic and out of control cabinet?
Yesterday also there a very good discussion on Aaj TV, in Talat Hussain's "Live with Talat" progarmme, where presenters/journali sts of other media gathered to discuss the issue of freedom of press. Followings points caught my special attention:
1) Though there are more than 100 government functionaries, including ministers of all grade, advisors etc., the private TV channels did not find fore 7/8 persons to tell government's views on these issues to the public. It was said that, even in one programe of ARY Oneworld, two chairs for participants remained vacant, as nobody from the government turned up till to the end, even though they gave their commitment. Others ministers, advisors, turned down private TV's invitation by saying that, don't through us into trouble in public eye.
2) The presenters were always dictated by the government, about who should be invited and who should not be.
3) According Hamid Mir, government has already taken decision that, the live discussion programmes shall be stopped. Instead, there would be recorded programmes, both contents and the participants of which must be cleared from the government before hand. (Our government functionaries are still living in dark ages. and they don't know that, in today's world information and visuals cannot be stopped. We are always vocal against the mullahs against there seen/unseen sins. But now must start thinking and talking about, where our jahel village politicians want to take us in these days of internet and other media of information and communication.
- Sayef Hussain
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From: the News International, 21-03-2007
| Retreat in sight |
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By Ansar Abbasi
ISLAMABAD: An effort is afoot to persuade non-functional chief justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry to agree to a "middle ground" enabling his honourable reinstatement but seeking some guarantees for those who matter in the present set-up.
However, the chief justice in response has stated in categorical terms that he would not enter into any such deal. However, Information Minister Muhammad Ali Durrani, when asked by The News, denied knowledge of any such move.
Reliable sources told The News that a former boss of one of the leading intelligence agencies is currently meeting those who are close to the chief justice for an early end to the present judicial crisis which is worsening with each passing day.
A source said a great supporter of the chief justice of Pakistan was approached by the former top spy with the idea that some "middle ground" must be found to resolve the crisis. The source, however, is not sure at whose behest the ex-spy wants to woo the chief justice.
The source said the message was conveyed to the chief justice on Sunday and he was told that the government is looking for a "middle ground", which will ensure the return of Justice Chaudhry. In return the chief justice will have to guarantee that he would not turn against the powers that be.
The source said the chief justice was simply furious as soon as he heard the word "middle ground". "There is no middle ground," the chief justice was quoted as telling the source. "Agreeing to any middle ground is simply out of question," the source quoted him as saying. Justice Chaudhry vowed that he would never let down all those who supported him during the testing time and even faced police brutalities.
The chief justice was also quoted as saying that the worst days of stress and strain for him are over so why should he now agree to any "middle ground". The source said that before Sunday when the chief justice was once asked about the possibility of entering into background negotiations with the government for a "deal", he had said, "The question does not arise till my last breath."
Meanwhile, it is learnt that a group of four, holding key positions in the federal and provincial set-ups, has played the key role in persuading the president of taking the extreme step of filing the reference against the chief justice of Pakistan.
These persons include a retired general, currently holding a key position in the federal set-up; a retired judge of a high court, currently serving against an executive position in the federal secretariat; a provincial chief minister; and the chief justice of a high court of the same province.
The sources said it was this group of four which had the greater role firstly in convincing the president that Justice Chaudhry was running a parallel government, and secondly in preparing the reference against him. Although Makhdoom Ali Khan, the Attorney-General for Pakistan, was also consulted for his technical support, he was not considered as the man who was behind this unprecedented adventure of the executive against the judiciary in the history of Pakistan.
Extreme secrecy was maintained to ensure that no one get a clue to what is now dubbed as a judicial coup against the top judge of the country. To the government's bad luck, the constitutional guru, Sharifuddin Pirzada, was not consulted in the preparation of the reference mainly because he had questioned the appointment of the retired high court judge (figuring among the four) at his present position.
However, a source said Pirzada was invited to offer his comment on the reference at the eleventh hour, before confronting the chief justice on March 9. The source said Pirzada sounded his reservations over its contents but recommended to the government that Justice Javed Iqbal should be appointed as the acting chief justice of Pakistan.
The source said there were some voices against the option of appointing Justice Rana Baghwandas as the acting chief justice because of his being "more Muslim than Muslims" despite belonging to the Hindu faith.
A source, who had the opportunity to go through the reference whose contents have not yet been made public by the government, confided to this correspondent that the reference is no different from the much condemned open letter of a lawyer. |
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