May 12 2008
An appeal to Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry
Respected Sir,
The country is passing through the most taxing times. Democracy seems under tremendous pressure, lawyers have endured terrible financial losses, media again is standing on a forked path. In such a situation everyone is looking towards you for your intervention and leadership capacity. Sir, chances are that on the issue of the restoration of judges the ruling coalition may get strained. If this happens it would be a terrible loss for the democratic future of the country. Perhaps there is need to pay heed to what Asif Zardari is saying. If this war is for the institution building of the country then use of an executive order will only complicate things further. It will set a precedent that any government can experiment with the judiciary through executive orders. I am sure you do not want that to happen.
Sir, I am among those who raised their voices almost immediately after the first attempt to sack you. Now as someone who has been part of the struggle I can only urge you to advise your supporters to step back for a while and let the institutions strengthen. Rest assured that this country will not forget its heroes and that you will eventually be restored. We need an act of selflessness from you to prove to the ruling coalition that your war is not merely for self preservation.
Expecting your intervention,
A Pakistani Citizen
I heard that executive order was not an issue. However, PCO judges were a contention point between coliation partners. As far as executive order is concerned, 20 top legal brains (including 5 chief justices) has said in favor of that. I will agree with you that this issue is dragging democratic process out of way… I hope CJ can sacrifice……. but at the same time I don’t understand Zardari love for latest PCO judiciary.. ( Is is really Zardariii of some one else moving the chess baord).
Regards, InAm