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For one, the use of tribal elders and jirgas as mediators is not necessarily viable any more. AP/ –File photo
A report in this newspaper yesterday has suggested that the state has intensified ‘back-channel efforts’ to win the support of militants in North Waziristan against the Baitullah Mehsud network, now led by Hakeemullah Mehsud, in South Waziristan. The report is in keeping with the three-pronged strategy of the state in South Waziristan, i.e. the use of blockades and aerial and artillery firepower against the Mehsud strongholds, encouraging rival factions within the Mehsud tribe to take up arms against the Baitullah Mehsud network, and attempting to win over powerful warlords such as Hafiz Gul Bahadur and Maulvi Nazir (South Waziristan).
Thus far the state has had moderate success with its strategy. But a word of caution: particularly with commanders like Gul Bahadur and Nazir, ensuring consistent cooperation with the state has been an elusive goal. Gul Bahadur and Nazir, who formed the United Mujahideen Council with Baitullah Mehsud earlier this year, are unpredictable characters who have periodically attacked the security forces. Their ultimate objective appears to be to secure their quasi-kingdoms and rule with little or no ‘interference’ from the state. So the idea that Gul Bahadur, for example, is a ‘good’ Taliban does not really stand up to scrutiny. In early June, the kidnapping of students from the Razmak Cadet College in North Waziristan was apparently facilitated by Gul Bahadur.
Nevertheless, in an area as fraught with danger as the Waziristan agencies the state will on occasion have to hold its nose and strike ‘deals’ with at least some local elements. However, here too problems are apparent. For one, the use of tribal elders and jirgas as mediators is not necessarily viable any more. With the decapitation of the traditional tribal leadership, the maliks, in many parts of Fata, especially the Waziristan agencies, the influence of the institution has waned and there is a big question mark over its ability to hold the militants to their side of any bargain. Second, militant leaders such as Gul Bahadur are believed to be involved in and supporting the insurgency in Afghanistan and linked to Al Qaeda and the Afghan Taliban. Anything done by the state here that further entrenches Gul Bahadur in North Waziristan is sure to unsettle the US and Afghan governments and may worsen the already tense relationship between the three countries.
Third, the state must be careful and ensure that it is not effectively replacing one menace with another — just like Baitullah Mehsud arose to torment the state after a rival Mehsud group fell out of favour, so may other groups create more problems for Pakistan in the not-too-distant future.
PTI CEC stops Imran to contest in NA 123 By-election
LAHORE : Central Executive Council of Pakistan Tehreek-e- Insaf (PTI) has stopped Imran Khan to contest in By-election from NA 123 here on Saturday.
According to details, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf announced three names for the By-election of NA 123 in which Imran Khan, Mian Mehmood Ur Rasheed and Hamid Rasheed were included. However, after the comprehensive discussion over the situation executive council stopped Imran Khan and asked Mian Mehmood Ur Rasheed and Hamid Miraj to submit their nomination papers.
Central Information Secretary of Tehreek-e-Insaf Umar Sarfaraz Cheema while talking to this agency said that Tehreek-e- Insaf is the only party in the country where decision are made by the Central Executive committee and implementation of these decision also assured.
He said that Imran khan worked hard and formed Tehreek-e-Insaf after a long struggle.
He does not want that like other parties in the country Tehreek-e-Insaf would be known as one family party. It is the basic reason that all the decisions of the party are done after discussion and consensus.
پاکستان کے سابق کرکٹر اور اپنے وقت کے مقبول فاسٹ باولر سرفراز نواز نے ضمنی انتخابات میں مسلم لیگ نون کے قائد اور سابق وزیر اعظم نواز شریف کے مدمقابل آگئے ہیں جبکہ مسلم لیگ نون کی طرف سے بھی دو رہنماؤں نے بھی اسی حلقہ کے لیے کاغذات نامزدگی جمع کرائے ہیں جہاں سے ان کے قائد امیدوار ہیں۔
سرفراز نواز ان امیدواروں میں شامل ہیں جہنوں نے الیکشن کمیشن کے سامنے اپنے کاغذات نامزدگی جمع کرائے۔الیکشن کمیشن کے روبرو قومی اسمبلی کے حلقہ ایک سو تیئس کے لیے مختلف سیاسی جماعتوں کے رہنماؤں کے علاوہ آزاد امیدواروں نے بھی کاغذات نامزدگی جمع کرائے ۔
سرفراز نواز نے انیس سو پچاسی میں ہونے والے غیر جماعتی انتخابات میں حصہ لیا تھا اور لاہور سے رکن پنجاب اسمبلی منتخب ہوئے تھے۔
قومی اسمبلی کے حلقہ ایک سو تئیس سے تحریک انصاف کے سربراہ اور قومی کرکٹ کے سابق کپتان عمران نےحلقہ ایک سو تیئس سے انتخاب لڑنے کے لیے کاغذات نامزدگی حاصل کیے تھے تاہم جماعت کے فیصلے کی وجہ سے انہوں نے کاغذات نامزدگی جمع نہیں کرائے۔
دوسری طرف جماعت اسلامی کے رہنما اور قومی اسمبلی کے حقلہ ایک سو تئیس سے امیدوار حافط سلمان بٹ نے گورنر پنجاب سے ملاقات کی ۔
گورنر پنبجاب سلمان تاثیر نے صحافیوں سے بات کرتے ہوئے کہا کہ جس طرح فوجی جنگ سے نہیں بھاگتا اسی طرح سیاست دان انتخابات سے نہیں بھاگتے۔ انہوں نے کہا کہ حالات بالکل ٹھیک ہے اور اگر کوئی ڈرون کا حملہ ہوجائے تو اس کے بارے میں کچھ کہا نہیں جاسکتا ہے تاہم ان کے بقول کوئی حظرہ نہیں ہے۔ انہوں نے پیش کش کی کہ اگر کسی کو کوئی فکر ہے تو وہ اس کے ساتھ جلسے میں جانے کے لیے تیار ہیں
Imran still adamant to have 'dialogue' with the jihadi and sectarian terrorists hiding in FATA:
PTI seeks end to military operations
Sunday, October 04, 2009 By Our Correspondent
LAHORE
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has reiterated his demand to stop military operation in turbulent areas, saying issues can better be solved through dialogue.
Addressing workers’ convention on Saturday, Imran announced that the party would observe October 9 as Balochistan Day and he would visit the province on October 10 to express solidarity with Baloch people.
The PTI chief condemned torture on innocent civilians as depicted by a recently-released video. He said it would really be injustice with Army if we didn’t point fingers over this sad incident. He demanded Army Chief Gen Ashfaq Pervaiz Kiyani try soldiers involved in torture of citizens.
Calling for the need to end military operations in Swat and Malakand, he said: “We stood by our Army and completely supported it but we opposed the use of force”. He said justice was the right of every Pakistani citizen and this issue must be resolved through dialogue rather then waging a war.
Expressing solidarity with the people of Balochistan, Imran said the PTI would observe October 9 as Balochistan Day to express solidarity with Baloch people. He said cruelty could never be justified whether it was done by Taliban or government. He said he would himself visit Balochistan on October 10 and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf would continue to oppose injustice done to the people of the country. He said the PTI was becoming a vibrant political force and he envisaged a youth revolution in coming years. He said the PTI was no more a silent political party and it was popular among expatriate Pakistanis as well.
He said workers had to play their role in strengthening the PTI while showing better performance and improving party structure. He said the party would emerge as the largest political party due to untiring effort of its workers.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf leaders, including Ahsan Rasheed, Mian Mehmood ul Rasheed, Admiral (retd) Javed Iqbal, Raja Javed Mujtaba, Asif Khan, Umer Sarfaraz Cheema and others also spoke on the occasion.
Party members from various districts criticized the PML-N led Punjab government for its failure to address issues related to provincial administration.
Members of districts, including Hafizabad, Narowal, Gujranwala and Mandi Bahauddin expressed their views on the occasion.
* Backs off from de-linking 17th Amend from package * Committee convinces PML-N on amendments to ‘contentious issues’ only
By Irfan Ghauri
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) – which was earlier insisting on de-linking the issue of the repeal of the 17th Amendment from the constitutional reforms package – on Thursday agreed that all proposed amendments should be accommodated in a single comprehensive constitutional amendment package.
During a meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on Constitutional Reforms, headed by Senator Raza Rabbani, committee members urged the PML-N to show some flexibility in their stance in order to move ahead on the issue, sources privy to the meeting told Daily Times.
Earlier, the committee discussed the constitutional amendment packages forwarded by various political parties, but decided that matters related to the repeal of the 17th Amendment would be sorted out before taking up other issues proposed in the drafts.
The sources said of the 29 points of the LFO, which later became part of 17th Amendment, all parties agreed on 20 points, however differences remained on the remaining nine.
Of these, seven points were more contentious, as they dealt with the discretionary powers former president Pervez Musharraf had invested in the office of the president.
The pace of the proceedings of the committee had been slackened due to differences between the PPP and PML-N, which insisted that the repeal of 17th Amendment was a separate issue from rest of the constitutional amendments.
Issues: However, the sources said committee members had persuaded the PML-N that the entire 17th Amendment could not be abolished and amendments could be made only to contentious clauses.
The sources said smaller parties in the committee also supported the PPP’s view on the matter, which is based on a comprehensive package and aims to resolve all issues in a single package. They said members of smaller parties also insisted that issues such as provincial autonomy were more important to strengthening the federation and could not be ignored at any cost.
The committee members further contended that outstanding grievances of smaller provinces would stand as they were if the PPP and the PML-N only focused on matters related to the repeal of the 17th Amendment.
The PML-N, however, accepted the arguments and agreed that all proposed amendments would be furnished in a comprehensive package.
The Parliamentary Committee on Constitutional Reforms will continue its discussions for the next two days.
The sources said besides the draft packages proposed by the political parties, the civil society and various bar councils had also forwarded around 90 suggestions for constitutional reforms.
The committee will now start discussions on the preamble and other articles of the constitution.
Meanwhile, talking to reports after the meeting, Committee Chairman Raza Rabbani said the nation would soon hear good news about a consensus constitutional reforms package, however, he did not give any time frame for submitting a final proposal to parliament.
Rabbani said all stakeholders agreed on annulling all controversial amendments previously made to the constitution. (Daily Times)
During Sharif (Butt) Brothers public meetings one slogan is often very popular i.e.
DAIKHO DAIKHO KAUN AAYA SHAER AAYA SHAER AAYA !!!
(Watch out who's come Lion's come Lion's come !!)
I wonder what was wrong with these Sharif lions when they shamelessly signed agreements in December 2000 with the then military ruler Gen. Musharraf and flew to Saudi Arabia with their families and servants leaving behind their hapless partymen.
Below are copies of agreements (call it NRO or deal?) signed by Sharif brothers and a copy of undertaking by Mian Shahbaz Sharif given to Saudi rulers before going to USA for some medical treatment.
I am writing to you in my capacity as editor of Atlantic-Community.org, an online think tank with over 3000 international members; primarily young professionals from NGOs, academia, think tanks, politics, and media.
Recently, we conducted a survey amongst 30 international experts to find out whether and how the EU should deal with the growing instability of the Pakistani state. You can find the survey here:
As you are running a blog dealing with recent political questions and development in Pakistan, I believe it would be of interest for you and your readers to get involved in the discussion on EU engagement in Pakistan. We would be delighted if you could feature our survey on your blog, together with your comments and ideas.
Please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any questions or suggestions.
India and Pakistan are in a state of active hostility — if not war or at least two proxy wars. At least six of the Pakistan army’s nine corps are on the border with India. Of the six, I Corps and II Corps are heavy armour strike corps. At least seven of the Indian army’s 13 corps are on the border with Pakistan. Of the seven, X Corps and II Corps are powerful strike corps (strike corps is an offensive formation). Additionally, all of India’s holding crops that are directly facing Pakistan also have significant offensive capabilities. In effect, 66 per cent of the Pakistan army’s holding and strike formations are directly facing India. In effect, more than 53 per cent of the Indian army’s holding and strike formations are directly facing Pakistan.
Pakistan maintains — and sustains — critical assets in the northeast that have managed to pin down India’s XV Corps, IX Corps, XVI Corps, XIV Corps, XI Corps, X Corps and II Corps. India’s 4 Armoured Brigade, 340 Mechanised Brigade, 11 and 12 Infantry Divisions, Jaisalmer Air Force Base, Utarlai Air Force Base and Bhuj Air Force Base maintain a threatening-offensive posture. India is actively supporting anti-Pakistan Baloch elements as well as anti-Pakistan Taliban factions. India is bent upon projecting power into Afghanistan thus encircling Pakistan. And, India – post-Operation Parakram — has been investing into a "Cold Start War Doctrine" involving joint operations by the Indian army, air force and navy; eight integrated battle groups with armour, artillery, infantry and combat air support.
For FY 2009, India’s defence spending will rise by close to 50 per cent to a colossal $32.7 billion (according to Jane’s Information Group). India is planning its biggest-ever arms purchases; $11 billion fighter jets, T-90S tanks, Scorpion submarines, Phalcon airborne warning and control system, multi-barrel rocket-launchers and an aircraft carrier. At $32.7 billion India’s defence spending translates into 2.7 per cent of GDP.
For FY 2009, Pakistan’s official defence spending is set at $4.3 billion while unofficial estimates go as high as $7.8 billion. If Pakistan were to match India’s rise we would have to spend more than five per cent of our GDP on defence. For the record, Iraq, Somalia and Sudan spend an overwhelmingly large percentage of their GDP on defence. Iraq, Somalia and Sudan are all — or have been — in a state of civil war. For the record, the Soviet Union and Czechoslovakia use to spend an overwhelmingly large percentage of their GDP on defence. Soviet Union is no more. Czechoslovakia is no more.
The US and the Soviet Union fought a 50-year Cold War during which the Soviet Union stockpiled some 13,000 active nuclear warheads. In 1991, the US won without even firing a shot. The Soviet Union raced a race that it couldn’t win. The Soviet Union split into 15.
Over the past century, economic development has been all about intense trading. Pakistan has two population centres; central Punjab and Karachi. Central Punjab is a thousand kilometres from the nearest port. Between Karachi and central Punjab is a desert in the east and on west is an area that does not — and cannot — support population concentrations. To develop economically, we must trade. Trade we must. And, the only population concentration to trade with is on our east.
Time — and money — is on India’s side. Composite dialogue among civilians means little — if anything at all. What is needed is a strategic dialogue. How can India be persuaded to pull back its offensive formations? In return for what? How can we use our America leverage in our longer-term interest? We cannot win an arms’ race with India. We ought to race a race that we can win. We can continue to race a race that we are bound to lose. Or, begin a new race that we may be able to win — or at least not lose. (The News)
The writer is the executive director of the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS). Email: farrukh15@hotmail.com
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Chief Minister Punjab and President PML-N Shahbaz Sharif taking Media persons at Raiwind. — APP
Shahbaz Sharif will be the chief minister of Punjab once again. The Supreme Court’s decision to stay Mr Sharif’s disqualification means the Punjab government stands reactivated as it was before Feb 25.
It seems that a judicial NRO has been negotiated between the PPP and PML-N in order to remove certain legal barriers impeding Shahbaz Sharif's appointment as the Chief Minister, and the removal of the Sharif brothers' disqualification.
"....The earlier judgement of the SC against the Sharifs was correct in law but unacceptable politically. The new one granting “stay” seems incorrect in law but is the need of the hour politically. Thus politics has once again triumphed over law, this time for a good cause."
Restoration result of deal: Shujaat
LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain has claimed that the restoration of the Punjab government was the result of a deal between the PML-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), and branded the process a tug of war between the two parties, a private TV channel reported on Tuesday. According to the channel, the PML-Q chief said he was happy by Shabaz Sharif’s restoration as the Punjab chief minister. He said that he knew earlier that the PPP and PML-N were entering a deal that would lead to the restoration of the Punjab government. daily times monitor
Shahbaz offers PPP to stay as coalition partner
LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has offered the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) to remain part of the Punjab cabinet and has asked the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leaders to negotiate with the PPP in this regard.He was talking to reporters at his Raiwind residence on Tuesday. Shahbaz said that he had thanked Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani for his positive role in the restoration of judiciary and for his efforts to ensure political stability in the Punjab. He said that the Punjab government would take all important decisions after taking the PPP in confidence, and it was up to the PPP to stay in the coalition or sit on the opposition benches in the provincial assembly. He announced to form a judicial commission to probe Monday’s terrorist attack on the Police Training School in Manawan. rana kashif
Normalising politics in Punjab
Talking to The Wall Street Journal, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) chief Mr Nawaz Sharif said on Monday: “The country cannot afford politics of confrontation, and no party can meet the tough challenges confronting the nation on its own”. He added: “Now, since the reconciliation efforts have been started, we are ready to establish a working relationship with the government”. Contrary to the loud complaints registered by his second-echelon party leaders, Mr Sharif appeared more “trustful” about the eventual repeal of the 17th Amendment and said that he could wait till it was finally removed through the parliament.
No one will be able to hide his relief at the above statement. Immediately after the presidential “recommendation” about the removal of Governor’s Rule in Punjab, PMLN leaders had restarted what can be called the “rhetoric of mistrust”, bitterly complaining about “things not said” in the presidential address to the joint session of the parliament. Led by Rana Sanaullah, the Punjab law minister, words like “makkaari” were used to explain why the PPP government had not waited till the Supreme Court verdict on the eligibility of the Sharif brothers before lifting Governor’s Rule. Not long after, the Governor Punjab did just the opposite of what Rana Sahib had feared: he called the Punjab assembly session on Wednesday, thus giving enough time for the Supreme Court process to complete itself.
Now that Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif will be back at the helm of affairs in Punjab, the PMLN firebrand leaders should follow the more sedate style of their leader Mr Nawaz Sharif who realises that his party has become an important player and that he himself is becoming most popular in the country. In the days to come, not only “trust” but cooperation will be required on the part of both the mainstream parties. Mr Sharif has already pledged that in view of the common threat of terrorism faced by them as the future rulers of Pakistan. The stark fact is that the country is fast becoming ungovernable given the way its politicians are pulling in different directions. Politics in Pakistan needs “normalisation” before Pakistan can behave “normally” as a state.
One last point. The earlier judgement of the SC against the Sharifs was correct in law but unacceptable politically. The new one granting “stay” seems incorrect in law but is the need of the hour politically. Thus politics has once again triumphed over law, this time for a good cause. (Daily Times)
http://www.express.com.pk/ 2 April 2009
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There is much talk of an embattled and defeated man in the Presidency. The chief justice has been restored. The Zardari government has surrendered, it is claimed. So why has Zardari's smile gotten wider?
As night fell on March 15, the long march was making history. The people of Pakistan refused to be cowed by lathis or unending tear gas. Senior police officials refused to obey orders from Salmaan Taseer's government to use deadly force against unarmed citizens. Every hurdle on the road to Islamabad was simply melting away in face of the Black Coats' revolution.
However, on announcement of the restoration of Iftikhar Chaudhry as chief justice, the revolution has retreated. The Long March and dharna have been called off by lawyers and politicians. President Zardari's government is taking credit for fulfilling the promise of Benazir Bhutto.
Prime Minister Gillani's announced on state television that Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry will be restored as chief justice on March 21, only after the retirement of the incumbent chief justice, Abdul Hameed Dogar. He reiterated that Mr Zardari had been unable to fulfil the promise of restoration because Abdul Hameed Dogar was already chief justice and that there could not be two chief justices. Prime Minister Gillani also committed that all other deposed judges will stand restored, but notably there was no mention of restoring the Nov 2, 2007, judiciary. In fact, Gillani clearly stated that the restoration of Iftikhar Chaudhry was fulfilment of President Zardari's pledge that the term of any existing judge will not be disturbed.
Musharraf's abettor in the Nov 3 assault on the judiciary, Abdul Hameed Dogar, will get an honourable exit. The judges appointed by Musharraf after Nov 3 will continue in office. Those who took oath under the PCO, despite the clear Order of the Supreme Court on Nov 3, 2007, not to do so, will continue "undisturbed," as will the recently appointed judges, loyalists with which President Zardari has packed the superior courts.
Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, Justice Ramday in the Supreme Court, Justice Sharif in the Lahore High Court and Justice Mushir Alam in the Sindh High Court, even if one includes those honourable judges who were deposed on Nov 3 and reinstated after repeating their oath under the Constitution, will be a minority in the superior courts of Pakistan and thus rendered ineffective.
The illegal actions of Nov 3 will continue to be recognised as validated according to the decision of Abdul Hameed Dogar in the Tikka Mohammed Iqbal case. According to Senate chairman Farooq Naek, Article 270 AAA, the product of the signature of a dictator, stays. This is also the argument of Malik Muhammad Qayyum, the last attorney general, who claims that the illegal acts of Nov 3 continue to be protected by Article 270 AAA because it has been validated by the PCO Judiciary. Thus the guarantees given by President Zardari not to touch General Musharraf or his illegal actions of Nov 3 will remain undisturbed.
The president's powers under the 17th Amendment will remain. The presidential form of government introduced by General Musharraf suits the present incumbent fine. Any move opposing it can be referred to the dustbin of high powered committees.
Zardari's real political adversary, the PML-N may be the biggest loser. Duped thrice before, they have once again fallen for an impotent promise. They were on the road to vindication, but decided to make a u-turn. The two Sharifs will remain at the mercy of a decision in a review by the same PCO Bench which disqualified them. Even if the PML-N government is restored in Punjab, without Shahbaz Sharif, it will have a tough time coping with a belligerent Salmaan Taseer.
Therefore, standing tall in the presidential palace on March 21 after hosting a farewell banquet for Abdul Hameed Dogar, President Zardari can confidently say that had the last laugh.
The lawyers of Pakistan will be left in a position no better than Saadat Hasan Manto's Ustaad Mangu. "The constables took Ustad Mangu to the police station. On the way and at the police station, he kept yelling, The new constitution…the new constitution. But no one understood what he was referring to. What are you shouting about…what new laws and rights are you shouting about…the laws are the same old ones… And Ustad Mangu was locked up in a cell." (Saadat Hasan Manto, New Constitution). The writer is an advocate of the Supreme Court. Email: zfebrahim@ gmail.com
(The News, Tuesday, March 17, 2009)
Daily Express, 17 March 2009
....
Aitzaz Ahsan expects neutrality from Iftikhar
Tuesday, 17 Mar, 2009 (Dawn)
The lawyers’ leader says the review petition against Sharif brothers’ disqualification can only be heard by the judges who gave the verdict as per the SC rules and CJP Iftikhar could not hear it. - Online photo by Nadeem Ijaz.
LAHORE: Lawyers’ leader Aitzaz Ahsan on Monday hoped that the Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry will neither hear the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) case, nor review the Sharifs’ disqualification petition as required under the parameters of judicial impartiality.
Aitzaz said that the beneficiaries of NRO were part of the movement against Justice Iftikhar and ‘we hope he would not hear the case against NRO himself in the larger interest of justice.’
Justice Iftikhar had also not heard the case against Musharraf’s second presidential election, he added.
Ahsan said that the reinstatement of deposed judges, including CJP Iftikhar, has fulfilled the promise that late Benazir Bhutto had made to the nation, albeit with a great delay. He also hoped the Pakistan People’s Party government would extend all cooperation to Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry
Congratulating the legal fraternity and political activists, he said: ‘I congratulate all those who suffered financial and personal losses in the two-years of the movement, including the media.’
He hoped Justice Iftikhar would not continue the policies of what he called Dogar’s court, and deliver justice irrespective of all personal grudges. To another query about the review petition against Sharif brothers’ disqualification, the lawyers’ leader said the review petition would only be heard by the judges who gave the disqualification verdict as per the SC rules and Chief Justice Iftikhar could not hear it.
He also dispelled the impression that the restored judges would have to take a fresh oath of their offices.
....
Ten judges who are likely to be restored
By Matiullah Jan Tuesday, 17 Mar, 2009 (Dawn)
ISLAMABAD, March 16: The names of 10 judges being recommended for restoration are out.
Official sources told DawnNews that three Supreme Court judges would be reinstated. They are Justice Javed Iqbal, Justice Khalilur Rehman Ramday and Justice Raja Fayyaz Ahmed.
With his return, Justice Javed Iqbal will become the senior most judge of the apex court. Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry is due to retire in 2013. The present chief justice, Abdul Hameed Dogar, is due for retirement on March 21.
The three judges to be restored in Lahore High Court are Justice Khwaja Mohammad Sharif, Justice Ijaz Ahmed Chaudhry and Justice Iqbal Hameed ur Rehman. Justice Khwaja Sharif, being the senior most, will assume office as the Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court.
In Sindh High Court, Justice Mushir Alam and Justice Maqbool Baqir would be reinstated. Justice Ijaz Afzal Khan is the only judge being considered for reinstatement in Peshawar High Court.
The notification to restore deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry and other judges will mention 10 judges’ names and not those who had already been reappointed by the government.
Sources said the restored judges may not have to take a fresh oath as they were likely to be restored through an executive order.
Sources in the Supreme Court say the current judges hope that Justice Chaudhry will restrain himself from confrontation with PCO judges and point out that the November 3, 2007, judgement given by a seven-member bench led by Justice Iftikhar against taking oath under the PCO, has been violated by three judges of that bench themselves.
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Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry restored as Chief Justice of Pakistan Monday, March 16, 2009
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani early Monday morning announced reinstatement of the deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry and other judges.
“I restore the deposed chief justice and others according to the promise made by me and the President,” Gilani said in a televised address to the nation. The announcement, in light of the directive of President Asif Ali Zardari, met the main demand of the political parties and the lawyers’ community.
He said, “A notification to this effect is being issued now.” He said Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry would replace Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar, who retires on March 21. Gilani said and pledged to “continue the politics of reconciliation.” The deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry was removed from service by former President Pervez Musharraf on March 9, 2007, sparking a wave of protest that led to his resignation from his office on August 18, 2008.
The prime minister also announced reinstatement of other judges of the Supreme Court and said the number of judges for the apex court has already been increased through legislation to accommodate the reinstated judges. He said the PPP had made a lot of contribution to the lawyers’ movement and rendered numerous sacrifices. He said shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto had pledged to reinstate the deposed Chief Justice.Gilani said President Asif Ali Zardari also pledged to do the same.
Gilani recalled that soon after securing a heavy mandate from the parliament he had announced the release of the detained judges and also restoration of their emoluments. The prime minister said the decision was taken in consultation with the allies. Gilani also greeted Chairman of Pakistan People’s Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, lawyers, political workers, and civil society on this auspicious occasion and asked them to celebrate the occasion in a befitting manner.
http://thenews.jang.com.pk/updates.asp?id=71668
What's the story behind this decision?
The decision to restore the chief justice was taken after a meeting between Zardari, Gilani and the army chief Ashfaq Kayani. The US and British have mediated the talks between the government and Sharif for the last few days. The US secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, spoke to both Zardari and Sharif by phone on Saturday.
The deal is clinched, but the show will go on: Afzal Khan
The following is the text of an email by journalist Afzal Khan circulated on 15 March 2009 at about 6:00am in the morning, exactly 24 hours before the speech of the Prime Minister Gilani.
Quote
The Sharif brothers are being seen to have been allowed free movement while lawyers and political leaders are being arrested country wide. This lawyers revolution is for now the beating pulse of a nation, little do they factor in the frustrations and the voices of the people
1. All key players, Sharif brothers, Asif Zardari and Lawyers will come out as victors in the face-saving formula which has been scripted by Milliband with US blessings and guaranteed by Army.
2. Federal govt will be going to Supreme Court for a review of the verdict on the Sharifs’ disqualification, the court will admit it and issue a stay and pending hearing for indefinite period this will give Punjab back to the Sharifs
3. The lawyers and politicians will NOT be allowed to reach the red zone
4. COAS Kayani has conceded to deploy the army in Islamabad and other cities and the troops will not fire a single shot but hope their presence will deter processionists from violence
5. Lawyers will have their dharna near Faizabad but inside capital limits
6. A constitutional package will be introduced after the deadline
7. Gujrat’s Chaudhry’s will visit Raiwaind they will have the satisfaction of jolted rivals and brought both PPP and Sharifs down to seek their support and they will also have their revenge over PPP having seriously undermined its credibility and popularity
8. Obama will tell the world that he has blocked the army take over in Pakistan
9. Sharifs will fall in line in the war on terror
10. Anti-American Imran and Qazi who had already dealt themselves out of the reckoning in power structure by boycotting the polls will be isolated and may be put under house arrest if the Pak establishment wants to enhance their popularity
11. US/IMF will deliver another doze of financial aid to sustain Pakistan economy
12. Indo-Pak tensions would be diluted after they have responded to 30 questions
13. The Taliban or militants will remain busy and continue burning NATO supplies
14. Gilani will have undeservingly established an image of a balanced person
15. While the entire episode has been turned into a farce, the lawyers’ road show will go on
16. The media that has made a fun of itself because of its total ignorance will have their part of coverage of the road show anchors and analysts will resume hot debate on impact of the march, the great betrayal and sell out
17. At some stage Sharif’s and PPP may return to coalition
18. For the civil society it will be another bout of Sisyphean labour having taken the great stone close to the peak and then rolling back to the ground with it to make another try.
Afzal Khan sitting at home with a broken crystal ball has already exhausted enough of the bag of predictions and would like to retire at this hour of early morning leaving some other players in the pantomime still strutting on the stage.
End Quote
...
Daily Express, 16 March 2009
…
Country nears a Long March frenzy, but a deal brews underneath
Source: Teeth Masestro
I write this blog post early Sunday morning (15 March) at around 5am, so my thoughts might not be all that coherent, but I feel some pressing points need to be shared before the Lahore stand off takes off in barely five hours from now at 10am on March 15th
1. Shahbaz Sharif had a very urgent meeting in Islamabad last night [13th March] where he flew from Lahore to Islamabad [eye witness confirm], the talks were afoot that a few deals were being negotiated - namely the eligibility of Nawaz and Shahbaz would be settled, Shahbaz Sharif would then reinstated as Chief Minister and Governor Salman Taseer will be shown the door, in exchange the Sharif brothers will end the Long March with immediate effect. These basic issues were agreed upon by both sides [even the idea of ending the long march / defusing it], what remained a tackling issue was the exact process on how to reinstate Iftikhar Chaudhry. Shahbaz Sharif allegedly wanted solid guarantees and merely the ‘word’ of Zardari carried little weight, COAS Kiyani and Hilary Clinton were being propped up to foot the final claim but reassurances were not entirely satisfactory [or so we are told]. Shahbaz returned having not finalized the deal on the last point
2. Gilani as off till the 13th March was playing a significant role in negotiations, but on the 14th was visibility out of the picture, he has been propped up by the US Government to play a more responsible role in settling this crisis, word is still out if he can or cannot deliver, but a few statement were made that gave good vibes to the public but it alone cant be the guage of the attitude behind closed doors
3. None of the lawyers from other cities were permitted to leave their respective cities, Kurd from Quetta, Muneer Malik and Rashid Rizvi from Karachi.- But ironically Sharif brothers are given a free hand to move
4. Lahore is allegedly clamped down any roads leading into or out of Lahore are effectively sealed
5. But suddenly today early morning March 15 3:00am a convoy carrying Shahbaz Sharif from Raiwind breaks through a barricade and runs off onto the Motorway towards Islamabad
6. Moments later news breaks out that hundred of police officers raid Rawalpindi bar thrash the lawyers sleeping there and are reported to have arrested 60 people
7. March 15th will be the day of resistance in Lahore - to be strategically handled by the elder brother Mian Nawaz Sharif
8. I honestly suspect this is a deliberate ploy to undermine the presence of Lawyers and other political parties while paving the way for PML-N to stretch their muscles in victory, lawyers being deliberately left on the sidelines, its possible that the only Lawyers that might make an visible appearance could be Aitzaz Ahsan & Hamid Khan arriving on the Constitution avenue, but with the sudden departure of Shahbaz Sharif from Lahore to Islamabad goes to suggest that he has full plans to hold the PML-N fort on the 16th March in Islamabad and would in all likelihood be the only person to really be allowed to make a big show
9. Not that, it matters as long as there is the independence of Judiciary, but we must keep in mind that the NRO is not be debated and neither is the 17th amendment being talked about.
10. Lets also not forget that the frenzy of the Long March only started after Shahbaz Sharif lost his Chief Ministership, and prior to that development, PML-N was on the fence playing second fiddle as it has continued to do so since Feb 18th with the Lawyers movement I can smell some fishy deal under the carpet, the Dharna on the 16th March will take place, Shahbaz will offer himself for arrest and a major street theater will be played out prior to the arrest. I then speculate that suddenly a breakthrough announcement might come out announcing the restoration of Judiciary. PML-N immediately dons the victor cap and celebrates, their own electoral eligibility, their reinstatement as Chief Minister, the end of Salman Taseer’s Governor rule and in the midst of all this fenzy plucks the restoration feather from the lawyers and conveniently embraces it as their own success
I believe the people of Pakistan would then have been two-timed yet again, a power struggle and a series of negotiations all at the hands of some interesting politicians. Considering that we have had a bitter taste of Zardari for the past few months, the Sharifs might still be palatable by the 160 million people - but then for how long? I detest these two-timing politicians making a fool of Pakistan, For the sake of Pakistan, i wish all my speculation above turns out to be a mere figment of my imagination, but ….. knowing our politicians, I can definitely expect the worst
Comment by boshe.wordpress.com on March 15, 2009 @ 5:41 am
I am disgusted with whatever is happening. NS and AZ are scumbag politicians. NS just wants power and will do anything to get there. He basically hijacked the whole judiciary crisis long march thingie just so that he could get some mileage. Only an idiot would think that he wants to do something for his people. He should remember the attack on the supreme court organized by his minions way back in the late 90s. It’s time our people stand up and kick them to the curbside. I have always hated AZ and NS and continue to hate them coz they dont have any credibility. If the report above is true then NS has lost whatever goodwill he had amongst people. Shame on all of you as he basically pulled wool over your eyes and you all fell for it.
Comment by Sohail on March 15, 2009 @ 8:23 am
Nawaz Sharif, savior of the judiciary. Amusing.
Now was it the same man who ordered the ‘attack’ on the supreme court and clamped down on the Jang group to the point where they actually thought about winding up their business in Pakistan and moving abroad?
And Zardari is not even worth the energy to punch in a few keys on my keyboard. Hopefully, Imran Khan and more people like him will come through. We need people who have integrity and self respect.
Comment by Sahar on March 15, 2009 @ 8:33 am
You are right, of course the politicians are trying to use this cause for their own selfish interests. BUT, I think this time around people are smarter and will see through it. What these politicians, and the Western powers, don’t get is that the ground has shifted beneath their feet. It is not the same old Pakistan anymore that can be “controlled” by a small elite that can make deals among themselves. The people have risen, and they can’t just beat us back down again so easily.
My bigger fear is that the leadership of the lawyers’ movement will be tempted to take the deal.
Listen up, Aitzaz and Kurd and the rest: NO COMPROMISE ON RESTORATION! Do not betray us!
Comment by Ahmed Memon on March 15, 2009 @ 9:06 am
Everything is business.
In order to file some case in any high/low court a citizen has to pay rishwat to many people from junior clerk to judge, I heard that lawyers are rallying for justice, seems like a joke.
Nawaz has already abused Media and Courts in past, now wants to build his reputation (recall when he flew away from country to save his life). After-all Pakistani Politics is merely a musical chair game … now Nawaz trying to sit on the chair …
GEO/Media got ditched once again, I dont know, if Media can act as a Judge or Intelligence-bureau. They got freedom to spread awareness but the footage/videos related to Zardari, is just there to ruin Zardari’s reputation to next level. As the business (GEO) knew that majority of Pakistani dont like Zardari not even people within PPP, this is the point of interest for them (GEO).
What a shame, US is giving guarantee for the Zardari ….
The more you observe the more you hate these guys.
This or thousand movements like this are not going to change the fate of this Nation, when we make idol to same old corrupt people
Comment by dr.jawwadkhan on March 15, 2009 @ 12:20 pm
this analysis makes a perfect sense.
in the countries like pakistan face saving happy end is in the interest of every one except people of pakistan.
the two major player certainly do not wish to deal with the judiciary capable of opening the missing person case.
asif zardari has obvious reasons. but i am not sure about shareef brothers, this time their body language is different or at least on television.
i strongly believe that with in this system every thing is possible except the restoration of judiciary.
any solution from the system certainly negate the judges issue.
on the other hand when i see the momentum and the tempo of this movement and emotions of the general public i found myself optimist about “real change”
Comment by Sana on March 16, 2009 @ 10:53 am
So the analysis proven right! Now sharifs,PPP coming as heroes all others are sidelined. Lawyers are rightly given the credit but there were many other honest
From PPP to PML(N)? May we understand this and open our eyes.
codefreaq said:
I think the whole deal was done before the long march.
Why would US just sit aside and just let a country it needs for the war on terror , go to hell like that.
Why would a General Kayani, a close friend and protector of General Musharraf who arranged the deal between PPP and Musharrf sit quietly and not take advantage of the situation?
I think teethmaestros conspiracy theory was right. The deal had been arranged by Hillary Clinton and her assistant Kayani. NS was caught up in judicial crisis and he couldn’t abondon lawyers without inflicting a lot of political damage to himself. It was arranged that dramaybazi will go on for the entertainment of pakistani public, then judges will be restored with compromises. IK and qazi will be sent to Islamabad to wait for NS who will steal the spotlight and his potential opponents in punjab will just appear to be his sidekicks.
In the coming days sharifs should get punjab back (or zardari will backtrack from his deal, he is a suicidal maniac anything can be expected from him.)
anyway this is a constant struggle for us and democracy is a slow process and a victory is a victory, small or big. the good things that come out of this are a self aware pressure group of citizens, media and lawyers. also PTI workers learned the fine techniques of throwing back tear gas shells from Jamatis, which I have a feeling they will need and put to good use in the future.
Gul said:
There are reservations and concerns. A long way to go still….
The most important fact is that history was made today: it’s the first time in history that judges who didn’t take oath on pco were re-instated. The fact that a real a leader was born in front of our eyes, he demonstrated what people power is, and proved he could change destiny of millions of people is what is crucial.
Having said this, mountains of work remains: on institutions, judicial reforms, etc….
Najam Syed said:
Guys actual problem is kind of hidden … do you know that a constitutional package is being prepared????
aadie said:
Here’s the deal:
1. Govt would get NS/SS case reviewed and would get a decision in favor of them through current SC CJ before arrival of NS/SS.
2. NS declared the end because he got his share.
3. He didn’t ask for 3rd Nov. position right now, because he was told by establishment: ‘You equally were responsible in Kargil Crisis, if you get Musharraf dragged into this, you would be dragged into Kargil issue, and would be sidelined for the rest of your life from politics’.
Hence the terms….’Don’t drag Musharraf we won’t drag you into this!’!
4. NS/SS gets Punjab government!
The only thing which remains uncertain is you never know when NS would again drag himself into Musharraf Nov 3 controversy again!!!
aadie said:
If there’s still confusion in the minds of people who think why Establishment couldn’t or didn’t throw Zardari out of office, here lies the answer:
Establishment to NS: as said in my previous post!
Zardari to Establishment: If Musharraf can be given cover why should I be removed?
Establishment to Zardari: Yes you continue (No Review On –> NRO) , but don’t get smart enough to act like Musharaf. Better restrict it to one presidential term.
Finally, everyone is happy!
sic5770 said:
People should have to look the things in a realistic way. Pakistan is a country who is almost 100% dependent on US, not only for the aid but US is our biggest trade partner. Apart from direct trade with US, he can influence other countries and IMF to stop dealing with us.
Once you understand the above concept, things will be easy tom understand for people. At the end, people like Nawaz, Aitazaz, Imran Khan, who are hoping to get some posts in future cannot mess or go against the wishes of US. They had to make some compromise at some point and this is what they did. They have already humiliated Zardari, Gimmani, Altaf, Fazlu and at the end not only they were able to restore the judges but defeat the opponents with big punches ( not the knock out!!).
In order to save the integrity of the Pakistan, they had to keep the opponents on their feet instead of throwing the knock out punches. At at the end, this result was the best possible result.
codefreaq said:
@rasheed I am not saying I know this for a fact but just that its a theory which seems plausible to me. the people you name are not politicians and they are against heavyweights who have been playing this game for decades, part of deal could have been for NS to convince the lawyers this is the most they will be able to get out of govt. without risking a martial law. athar minallah is not happy with the decision but he accepted it as better then nothing.
the resistance of PPP at GPO chowk was mostly against lawyers and jamaits and was a political theater according to me. N league workers were already hiding on the route of NS caravan from his house in model town to GPO and came out as soon as he came out of his house, it was made to look like a sea of public is coming to support their superhero.
the biggest thing is why was the US suddenly quiet after days of talks and negotiations? the said our new policy is to not interfere in paks internal affairs..yeah right. why did kayani not try a coup?
zardari gets to stay as prez, sharifs get punjab and become heroes of lawyers movement, US gets a stable political environment to continue their work. kayani gets his picture hung in pentagons hall of fame.
aadie said:
@rasheed:
I’m in support of restoration of judiciary. But we should admit what is happening behind the closed doors. You missed one thing, from objective point of view NS also announced the end of March & btw definitely all the stakeholders must have communicated before declaring the end. Hence everyone got their share, including the Govt/Establishment/Opposition/Lawyers! Now the only thing you will see next would be dragging the 3rd Nov. issue and killing time! This thing won’t ever settle, everything else can - My word!
codefreaq said:
@afzaalkhan
you are asking me to believe that NS did not march on const. ave despite having no assurances that he will get punjab back in the PMs khutba?
I am sorry but a politician is a politician even if he has lived in mecca for 8 years he is in the game for power. he didn’t march on const. ave. because he is sure the guarantors of the deal will bring punjab to him on a tray in the next few days.
dara said:
@ gost of TK
“Samaa TV cut off Kurd just as he was highlighting the issue of thousands of Baluch political prisoners languishing in agency jails!”
This is it, Punjabi don’t care about baluch or sindhis or even Pakhtoons,.
Iftikhar Ch was thrown out by a Army wala supported by all Army wala including Gen Kiani. No body will dare ask those Army wala Or take them to court, any punjabi would ever dare? no you will never, you could only bulldoze a sindhi president even though he is elected.
dara said:
I dare Ch Iftikhar to re open cases against Army, like Gawader plots, Disappeared people case and so many other.
Ghost of TK said:
@dara: there is a problem indeed, but don’t generalize. A Baloch leader (Kurd) gave the call, and a million punjabi’s called off the march. There are severe problems but not all punjabi’s are as you paint them though punjab has done a lot of damage to the rights of the other nations in this country. (just my opinion).
codefreaq said:
@mya afzaal Gul
only thing I am saying is don’t be fooled by any of these politicians. the only way common man can get their work done by them is by understanding how they work and then making them fight with each other like dogs.naively don’t set too high hopes in NS you will be disappointed tommorow when he gets in power and says the same things zardari is now
altf_0011 said:
What a funny thing, the people who are bringing this peace deal (between NS & AZ) are the same who brought NRO previously, neither the NRO was in the interest of our nation nor is this peace deal. Where peace deal should be applied, it is not applied honetly so far. It is like treating cancer by anti-boitics, to subside the disease, whereas it is needed to cut and throw away the cancer (getting rid of corroupt people in the government, not deals) part of the body, otherwise it is no good at all, it will keep eating the body and one day whole body will die. If NS accepts less than restoring the CJ as nation expects, same nation will not forgive him. Now about CJ, onec he is restored and doesn’t operate justly, as he did in the last era of Musharraf (under pressure of the people who are working to apply peace deal) nation will not forgive even CJ. It is very hard for CJ to compromise on national interests, whereas for others it is very hard to accept CJ’s decisions such as rejecting NRO and keeping cases alive against AZ (which will obiviously send AZ to jail) and the decision given by CJ in the last era of Musharraf. Doubt very much that CJ will be restored, and will be free to work, as he wants. Problems between NS & AZ is not very difficult to work out, but CJ’s problem is very very big, because what the decisions he has given lastly it is no way acceptable for others.
Atif Majid said:
Is is reinstatement of judges only or restoration of Judiciary as well???
There must be some deal behind the scene. And I think SS and NS will again be decalared as non-eligible and hence they will be out from the scene.
May be I am wrong. But I am expecting this thing from Zardari…
Insaf Shaheen said:
I don’t know why you guys cannot see think beyond?
Is there nobody who can see what has happened?
Sharifs and qazi were given free space to roam around, their houses and party offices were not raided they were doing jalsas press confrences ,It was only 15 when their orders were issued for house arrest
where as Imran Khan’s house have been raided four times?Why
Why only Imran khan was not given any free space?why cammando action took place on his residance . It was Imran Khan who raised this issue of indepedance of judiciary thirteen years back when sharif could not even think about it, IK is leading not only the educated youth of this country but he has lead opponents also
humair quadri said:
the judiciary is restored, but 3rd nov 2007 things are not reverted back. which cannot be done in one day, I think judiciary can resolve these thing by themselves.
Pakistan Zindabad.
ResidentEvil said:
I think it was a very politically smart speech. Well done Mr. PM!
rasheed said:
Long March finished after consultation with Lawyers.
Tariq Mahmood, Ather Minallah, Munir Malik have already expressed their agreement with the decision.
No reason for Nawaz to continue it anymore.
rasheed said:
Khawaja Shareef was also very happy with the decision and just told Kamran Khan that he has congratulated Chief Justice Iftikhar too.
Now if PTI Nappy Group want to come out of hiding and continue their Dharna against the wishes of Lawyers and Judges, they are most welcome to continue.
democrate said:
i congratulate nawaz shreef for accepting government decision.both ppp and n league should work together.zerdari also should show sincerety and stop being too smart.
freemason said:
Zardari won it seems becoz the jiyala judges are still there!! He again outwitted the entire nation. Bastard. Anyhow brothers, the struggle will continue in one form or the other till these morons are wiped off of our beloved sacred land.
UMAR RIAZ said:
Gilani speech is another fraud with the nation. Nov 3rd juduciary will not be restored. This is just another trap to stop long march. LONG MARCH SHOULD CONTINUE
shandana said:
NS is for sure ‘NA IHEL’
he deserves this, Now I am sure that he is more inept than billi, He is just accepting every thing, either he is getting in the trap or he is already in some deal with AZ
Dar said:
Nawaz sharif has stopped the MARCH, what a freaking idiot………….
Owais said:
The dharna should stay in ISB till March 21st. If NS stops the march (@Dar) then hes the stupidest most gullible person in Pak.
ataraxis6 said:
Too bad, NS and Atizaz Ahsan decided to abandon long march and dharna.
Ahsan Irfan said:
as salamu `alaykum
The situation is very confusing. But it certainly seems that the lawyers are calling it quits, and hence NS is also calling it quits.
Quite honestly, munh mein badmazgi aa gaye. Rang mein bhang daal diya.
rasheed said:
@shandana,
PTI NG, please tell Imran Khan to come to Rawalpindi High Court Bar at 10am to start Long March (you still have 3 more hours). The only loser in this Long March has been only IK who has been hiding underground.
IK and his NG are most welcome to go and conduct Dharna as no one stopped you.
Sher Sher he hota hay and Nawaz Sharif has proved it in public, starting from beating police outside his residence at Model Town and then getting Lahoris on the road to leading to Islamabad.
shandana said:
@rasheed
How come he be a ’shair’?
I thought his father was Sharif, (LOL)
winter said:
@ rasheed
The dumb ganja can never compete the elegance, the intellect and intelligence of Imran Khan. Nawaz Sharif to itna stupid hai keh Zardari ne usse 3 dafa chuna laga diya tha, what about that ? And for your information, thousands of PTI workers participated in the long march in all parts of Pakistan. Meanwhile your ganja master Nawaz Sharif has accepted a munafiqana deal once again and only time will tell. I am sure that they won’t be getting their govt back and they probably will remain na-ahel always. Though I would be sad for Shahbaz Sharif as he is the real bloodline of PML-N and is the best administrator in Pakistan.
But no one compares to the dedication and sincerity of Imran Khan. Nawaz has been tried twice by our nation already and he proved a miserable failure. Its time for Imran Khan!!
rasheed said:
Kurd saying that he is satisfied with the decision on ARY right now and he announce finishing the Long March.
PTI Nappy Group can continue doing whatever they want.
Jawwad Rafique said:
The point which noone is paying any attention to and should be answered before calling off the long march is what will happen to the LHC CJ? When Khawaja Sharif is restored will he become the LHC CJ or will the current CJ remain in that role.
bechari-awam said:
It seems the only people not happy here are the Imran Khan fan club guys. They were trying to build rome in one day. Pakistanis today have achieved something which in the history books will be regarded as one of the best movement for the cause of independent judiciary any where in the world. I am guessing this event will be taught in law schools around the world and in political science classes how to achieve your democratic goals with people’s power against all odds. Guys don’t take it as a normal event. This has the capability to change the course of the history because from now on, no ruler at least in Pakistan could defy the public logic and the power of independent media. At last we have achieved a watch-dog which will guarantee that our public institutions are now accountable in the eyes of the people. Now police and administration knows that they only have to accept legal and moral orders from the government because a precedence has set. If some govt in future gives them illegal orders, they can always go to media and tell their side of the story. This will Inshaallah bring a big change in their attitude.
afzaalkhan said:
@sok
could u kindly not call PPP names, we should admire PM Gillani who has finally shown PPP their wrong ways. In the end they heeded the public demand and good for them.
I am totally against changing of govt, PPP has mandate and they should govern and in the end ppl will decide how they did. Eeverytime govt is dismissed they claim victimization, time to protest in democratic parameters and govt if doing wrong should be forced through democratic means to change the behavior like the long march did. Changing givt is not the answer we have to get use to of change through elections. We demand our leaders to show honesty and integrity,. we should also grow up and show political maturity..
Source: Teeth Maestro; PK Politics and other Pakistani blogs
.... Tail piece
US welcomes restoration of Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry Monday, March 16, 2009
ISLAMABAD: The United States Monday welcomed Pakistan's decision to reinstate its top judge as a move to "defuse a serious confrontation" and a "substantial step towards national reconciliation."
"This is a statesmanlike decision taken to defuse a serious confrontation, and the apparent removal of this long-standing national issue is a substantial step towards national reconciliation," said the US embassy in Islamabad.
"Now is the time for all Pakistanis and their political representatives to work together, with the support of their friends and allies, to peacefully strengthen their democracy and ensure a positive dialogue," it added.
http://thenews.jang.com.pk/updates.asp?id=71674
Nawaz greets nation over restoration of deposed judges Updated at: 0700 PST, Monday, March 16, 2009
GUJRANWALA: Pakistan Muslim League-N Quaid Mian Nawaz Sharif announced on
Monday to call off the long march. He congratulated the whole nation over the reinstatement of deposed judges.
Addressing a charged long march rally here, Nawaz termed the restoration of Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry a big success and a prelude to positive change.
He said Justice Iftikhar did not bow down to the dictator.
He said that the decision to call off the long march has been made after consultations with Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Qazi Hussain Ahmed, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chief Imran Khan and Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President Ali Ahmed Kurd.
A tribute to Pakistani soliders fighting the terrorists of Taliban, Al-Qaeda and Sipah-e-Sahaba
Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto 1953-2007
Ghalib
The rose, with its redolent petals The water lily, with its robe of virgin white These have surely come to us in transmigration Of but a few of those Endowed with sublime beauty and grace. Some embrace death to sprout again But most, forever, in dust remain.
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The following is the text of an email by journalist Afzal Khan circulated on 15 March 2009 at about 6:00am in the morning, exactly 24 hours before the speech of the Prime Minister Gilani.
