It seems that the Zardari government is always in hot water. Zardari is continuing his dispute with the court a court that has always fought for its rights even against the military govt. of Musharraf.Zardari obviously wants to pack the court with his own supporters just as the military government had done. Little attention is being paid to this issue in the mainstream western press.
News From Antiwar.com - http://news.antiwar.com -
Opposition Sees Shades of 2007 in Pakistan’s Judiciary Crisis
Posted By Jason Ditz
Pakistani opposition leader Nawaz Sharif today termed President Asif Ali Zardari the gravest threat to democracy in the nation’s history, an incredible statement in a nation rife with coups d’etat, including one that ousted Sharif from his former role as prime minister.
Sharif’s comments come amid a growing crisis of confidence over what has come to be known as the “judges issue” in Pakistan, stemming from a dispute between the Supreme Court and the Zardari government over judicial appointments.
The constitution in Pakistan requires the president to consult the judiciary over the appointment of judges, but instead President Zardari ignored the recommendations and appointed two key judges seen as favorable to his administration. The Supreme Court declared the appointments illegal and struck them down yesterday.
The incident didn’t occur in a vacuum, of course. The Zardari government has been clashing with the judiciary for nearly a year, and over the past few months has been in open battle with them over the loss of legal immunity for key members of the Zardari government, which could ultimately force the government from office and land several high profile ministers in prison for corruption.
Several opposition members, including Sharif, have suggested that the current dispute has shades of a November 2007 dispute in which then-President Pervez Musharraf declared a state of emergency and had much of the court arrested by the military. Zardari insists that he has no plans to annouce another state of emergency.
Though Zardari has repudiated the actions of Musharraf, in March of last year he ended up in open clash with much of the nation over his refusal to restore the judges ousted by Musharraf in 2007. Zardari placed portions of the country under emergency rule, temporarily ousted the provincial government of Punjab, and attempted to use the military to stop a public protest led by Sharif. Ultimately the protests were so massive and the military so reluctant to crush them that Zardari was forced to restore the judiciary, setting the stage for the battles with the restored judiciary over the balance of power which continues today.
At this point, most acknowledge that there is no working relationship between the executive and the judiciary, and while the ruling PPP organizes pro-Zardari rallies, most of the opposition seems to be squaring up firmly on the opposite side. Pakistan’s polity seems to be growing more polarized by the minute.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Showing posts with label Musharraf. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Musharraf. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Pakistan top judge still retained
Musharaf seems to be confident of control. Even to leave the country he must have felt that there would be no move to toss him out. Significantly the chief justice is still under house arrest even though judges have been released. The chief justice has always been a thorn in the side of Musharraf. The spotlight seems to be off Bhutto for the moment. The US would be happy if Musharraf would make another deal with her but it doesn't seem likely given Bhutto's recent comments on Musharraf.
Pakistan top judge still detained
Pakistan's ousted chief justice remains under arrest, a day after officials said judges detained under emergency rule could move around freely.
Iftikhar Chaudhry tried to leave his Islamabad residence but was stopped from doing so by security forces.
Meanwhile, President Musharraf has amended the constitution to prevent future legal challenges to his actions.
His government has urged the Commonwealth to delay a decision on suspending Pakistan from its meetings.
Gen Musharraf imposed emergency rule on 3 November, saying the measure was needed to rein in the judiciary and fight extremists.
He is under pressure to end the state of emergency ahead of general elections promised for 8 January.
Judge held
Former Chief Justice Chaudhry was removed from his post on 3 November and has been under house arrest ever since.
On Tuesday, the government announced it had released more than 3,000 people jailed under emergency rule.
Interior Ministry spokesman Javed Iqbal Cheema said judges would also be "free to go home if they so wish or desire".
"They are living in the judges colony of their own accord - they can leave if they want to," he said.
Mr Chaudhry tried to leave his residence on Wednesday but was stopped from going to the Supreme Court by large numbers of security forces ringing his residence.
Another judge, former presidential candidate Wajihuddin Ahmed, tried to visit Mr Chaudhry and was briefly detained along with a lawyer.
The release of political opponents has been a key demand of opposition parties who are threatening to boycott the January vote.
A number of leading political figures are still being held.
Late on Tuesday, about 170 journalists detained earlier in the day in the southern city of Karachi were freed.
Commonwealth talks
On Wednesday, President Musharraf flew back to Pakistan from talks in Saudi Arabia.
His visit had encouraged rumours that he would hold contacts with former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif or seek to prolong his exile there.
A presidential spokesman said Gen Musharraf had met King Abdullah and other officials but had had no contact with Mr Sharif.
Mr Sharif's party, meanwhile, was adamant he would not hold negotiations "with a military dictator".
On his return to Pakistan, Gen Musharraf issued an amendment to the constitution which says his declaration of the state of emergency cannot be over-ruled in court.
Analysts say the general's move is an another attempt to protect himself after he relinquishes the post of army chief, which he may do shortly.
Later on Wednesday, Pakistan announced it had asked the Commonwealth for "a short postponement" of its decision on whether to suspend it from its meetings.
Foreign ministers of the 53-nation grouping, mainly made up of former British colonies, are meeting in Uganda. Gen Musharraf has been given until Thursday to lift emergency rule.
Suspension would be seen as largely symbolic, observers say.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/south_asia/7105923.stm
Published: 2007/11/21 15:22:13 GMT
© BBC MMVII
Pakistan top judge still detained
Pakistan's ousted chief justice remains under arrest, a day after officials said judges detained under emergency rule could move around freely.
Iftikhar Chaudhry tried to leave his Islamabad residence but was stopped from doing so by security forces.
Meanwhile, President Musharraf has amended the constitution to prevent future legal challenges to his actions.
His government has urged the Commonwealth to delay a decision on suspending Pakistan from its meetings.
Gen Musharraf imposed emergency rule on 3 November, saying the measure was needed to rein in the judiciary and fight extremists.
He is under pressure to end the state of emergency ahead of general elections promised for 8 January.
Judge held
Former Chief Justice Chaudhry was removed from his post on 3 November and has been under house arrest ever since.
On Tuesday, the government announced it had released more than 3,000 people jailed under emergency rule.
Interior Ministry spokesman Javed Iqbal Cheema said judges would also be "free to go home if they so wish or desire".
"They are living in the judges colony of their own accord - they can leave if they want to," he said.
Mr Chaudhry tried to leave his residence on Wednesday but was stopped from going to the Supreme Court by large numbers of security forces ringing his residence.
Another judge, former presidential candidate Wajihuddin Ahmed, tried to visit Mr Chaudhry and was briefly detained along with a lawyer.
The release of political opponents has been a key demand of opposition parties who are threatening to boycott the January vote.
A number of leading political figures are still being held.
Late on Tuesday, about 170 journalists detained earlier in the day in the southern city of Karachi were freed.
Commonwealth talks
On Wednesday, President Musharraf flew back to Pakistan from talks in Saudi Arabia.
His visit had encouraged rumours that he would hold contacts with former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif or seek to prolong his exile there.
A presidential spokesman said Gen Musharraf had met King Abdullah and other officials but had had no contact with Mr Sharif.
Mr Sharif's party, meanwhile, was adamant he would not hold negotiations "with a military dictator".
On his return to Pakistan, Gen Musharraf issued an amendment to the constitution which says his declaration of the state of emergency cannot be over-ruled in court.
Analysts say the general's move is an another attempt to protect himself after he relinquishes the post of army chief, which he may do shortly.
Later on Wednesday, Pakistan announced it had asked the Commonwealth for "a short postponement" of its decision on whether to suspend it from its meetings.
Foreign ministers of the 53-nation grouping, mainly made up of former British colonies, are meeting in Uganda. Gen Musharraf has been given until Thursday to lift emergency rule.
Suspension would be seen as largely symbolic, observers say.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/south_asia/7105923.stm
Published: 2007/11/21 15:22:13 GMT
© BBC MMVII
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
US opting for regime change policy in Pakistan?
Surely the US has enough problems without provoking more. If this is meant to put pressure on Musharraf to tackle problems in the border areas it is truly bizarre. More likely it will provoke him into a purge of any pro-US armed forces leaders and strengthen those opposed to co-operating with the US. The US seems to suffer from the illusion that it can somehow control the results of regime change. It has not been able to do so in Iraq even while occupying the country so how can it successfully do so in Pakistan where it has no forces? This is from the Australian.
US looks at plan to oust Musharraf
Bruce Loudon, South Asia correspondent
March 14, 2007
THE US has indicated for the first time that it might be willing to back plans by elite echelons of the military in Islamabad to oust Pervez Musharraf from power, as the Pakistani President was beset by major new difficulties over his attempts to sack the country's chief justice.
Reports yesterday quoting highly placed US diplomatic and intelligence officials - previously rusted on to the view that General Musharraf was an indispensable Western ally in the battle against terrorism - outlined a succession plan to replace him.
US officials told The New York Times the plan would see the Vice-Chief of the Army, Ahsan Saleem Hyat, take over from General Musharraf as head of the military and former banker Mohammedmian Soomro installed as president, with General Hyat wielding most of the power.
The report adds another dimension to the range of challenges bearing down on the embattled military ruler following his weekend sacking of chief justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, whom he appointed just over a year ago.
Thousands of lawyers clashed with baton-wielding riot police yesterday during a nationwide day of action against the sacking of the top judge. About 3000 lawyers wearing smart black suits and chanting "Down with Musharraf" dismantled barriers in an attempt to stage a sit-in outside the Lahore High Court building.
More than 40 lawyers and 15 police were injured in the clashes. Police repeatedly baton-charged the demonstrators, some of them senior members of the bar, arresting 25 people.
In Islamabad, police barricaded the Supreme Court where the Supreme Judicial Council was meeting in camera to consider as-yet unspecified charges against the chief justice involving alleged misuse of his authority.
There was chaos and confusion as the council began its hearings last night. Having been held virtually under siege and incommunicado in his residence, the chief justice refused to get into a government car sent to convey him to the Supreme Court.
Instead, he stunned officials by starting to walk, surrounded by supporters, and told reporters he rejected any suggestion he had abused his office. Police soon intervened, however, and he was forced into a car and taken to another building before being transferred to the Supreme Court.
As courts across the country remained paralysed in protest, motives for the sacking emerged when it was disclosed that last month Justice Iftikhar said in a speech that General Musharraf could not continue as army chief beyond the expiry of his term as President later this year.
General Musharraf has a highly controversial plan that would have him elected to another five-year term as President by existing federal and provincial legislatures - before general elections are held.
But he also wants to continue as Army Chief of Staff, something that is bitterly opposed by political leaders as well as the international community. The plan would be challenged in the courts, and the chief justice's strong words on the issue may have forced the President to take pre-emptive action to remove him.
The bitter wrangling lends weight to those in the US diplomatic and intelligence community who believe it is time to consider the post-Musharraf era.
The US report suggests a growing disenchantment towards General Musharraf in Washington and indicates that the longstanding view that the alternative to his regime would be chaos and a takeover by extremist Islamic mullahs is no longer ascendant.
The US officials say hardline Islamists have usually not done well in elections in Pakistan and that if General Musharraf were removed, a doomsday scenario would not necessarily follow.
The report could be an attempt by Washington to pressure General Musharraf to take stronger action against militants in Pakistan's border areas near Afghanistan, where the Taliban and al-Qa'ida are operating. But it might also indicate the President's allies in Washington are about to pull the rug from under him.
US looks at plan to oust Musharraf
Bruce Loudon, South Asia correspondent
March 14, 2007
THE US has indicated for the first time that it might be willing to back plans by elite echelons of the military in Islamabad to oust Pervez Musharraf from power, as the Pakistani President was beset by major new difficulties over his attempts to sack the country's chief justice.
Reports yesterday quoting highly placed US diplomatic and intelligence officials - previously rusted on to the view that General Musharraf was an indispensable Western ally in the battle against terrorism - outlined a succession plan to replace him.
US officials told The New York Times the plan would see the Vice-Chief of the Army, Ahsan Saleem Hyat, take over from General Musharraf as head of the military and former banker Mohammedmian Soomro installed as president, with General Hyat wielding most of the power.
The report adds another dimension to the range of challenges bearing down on the embattled military ruler following his weekend sacking of chief justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, whom he appointed just over a year ago.
Thousands of lawyers clashed with baton-wielding riot police yesterday during a nationwide day of action against the sacking of the top judge. About 3000 lawyers wearing smart black suits and chanting "Down with Musharraf" dismantled barriers in an attempt to stage a sit-in outside the Lahore High Court building.
More than 40 lawyers and 15 police were injured in the clashes. Police repeatedly baton-charged the demonstrators, some of them senior members of the bar, arresting 25 people.
In Islamabad, police barricaded the Supreme Court where the Supreme Judicial Council was meeting in camera to consider as-yet unspecified charges against the chief justice involving alleged misuse of his authority.
There was chaos and confusion as the council began its hearings last night. Having been held virtually under siege and incommunicado in his residence, the chief justice refused to get into a government car sent to convey him to the Supreme Court.
Instead, he stunned officials by starting to walk, surrounded by supporters, and told reporters he rejected any suggestion he had abused his office. Police soon intervened, however, and he was forced into a car and taken to another building before being transferred to the Supreme Court.
As courts across the country remained paralysed in protest, motives for the sacking emerged when it was disclosed that last month Justice Iftikhar said in a speech that General Musharraf could not continue as army chief beyond the expiry of his term as President later this year.
General Musharraf has a highly controversial plan that would have him elected to another five-year term as President by existing federal and provincial legislatures - before general elections are held.
But he also wants to continue as Army Chief of Staff, something that is bitterly opposed by political leaders as well as the international community. The plan would be challenged in the courts, and the chief justice's strong words on the issue may have forced the President to take pre-emptive action to remove him.
The bitter wrangling lends weight to those in the US diplomatic and intelligence community who believe it is time to consider the post-Musharraf era.
The US report suggests a growing disenchantment towards General Musharraf in Washington and indicates that the longstanding view that the alternative to his regime would be chaos and a takeover by extremist Islamic mullahs is no longer ascendant.
The US officials say hardline Islamists have usually not done well in elections in Pakistan and that if General Musharraf were removed, a doomsday scenario would not necessarily follow.
The report could be an attempt by Washington to pressure General Musharraf to take stronger action against militants in Pakistan's border areas near Afghanistan, where the Taliban and al-Qa'ida are operating. But it might also indicate the President's allies in Washington are about to pull the rug from under him.
Monday, February 26, 2007
Cheney preaches to Pakistan
I imagine Musharraf did not invite Cheney to go hunting with him!
Cheney warns Pak on terror
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NDTV Correspondent
Monday, February 26, 2007 (Islamabad):
Paying a surprise visit to Pakistan, US Vice President Dick Cheney on Monday voiced apprehensions over regrouping of al-Qaeda in its border areas with Afghanistan at a meeting with President Pervez Musharraf.
Cheney held two-hour-long talks with Musharraf in the backdrop of reports in the US that President George W Bush has decided to send a tough message to the Pakistani president that aid would cut to Islamabad if al-Qaeda militants were not hunted down.
"Cheney expressed US apprehensions of regrouping of al-Qaeda in the tribal areas and called for concerted efforts in countering the threat," according to a Pakistan government statement issued after the meeting.
He expressed serious US concerns on the intelligence being picked up of an impending Taliban and al-Qaeda "spring offensive" against allied forces in Afghanistan," the statement said.
Pivotal role
Cheney, however, appreciated Pakistan's pivotal role in the fight against terrorism and pledged to further augment mutually beneficial multifaceted ties.
Musharraf, on complaints relating to Pakistan's lack of co-operation in cracking down on Taliban, told Cheney that the international community was collectively responsible for defeating the scourge of terrorism and curbing militant activities inside Afghanistan.
Musharraf said Pakistan has done the maximum in the fight against terrorism, but stressed that joint efforts were needed for achieving the desired objectives.
He also briefed Cheney about the Indo-Pak talks to resolve their differences over Kashmir and other issues. (With PTI Inputs)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cheney warns Pak on terror
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NDTV Correspondent
Monday, February 26, 2007 (Islamabad):
Paying a surprise visit to Pakistan, US Vice President Dick Cheney on Monday voiced apprehensions over regrouping of al-Qaeda in its border areas with Afghanistan at a meeting with President Pervez Musharraf.
Cheney held two-hour-long talks with Musharraf in the backdrop of reports in the US that President George W Bush has decided to send a tough message to the Pakistani president that aid would cut to Islamabad if al-Qaeda militants were not hunted down.
"Cheney expressed US apprehensions of regrouping of al-Qaeda in the tribal areas and called for concerted efforts in countering the threat," according to a Pakistan government statement issued after the meeting.
He expressed serious US concerns on the intelligence being picked up of an impending Taliban and al-Qaeda "spring offensive" against allied forces in Afghanistan," the statement said.
Pivotal role
Cheney, however, appreciated Pakistan's pivotal role in the fight against terrorism and pledged to further augment mutually beneficial multifaceted ties.
Musharraf, on complaints relating to Pakistan's lack of co-operation in cracking down on Taliban, told Cheney that the international community was collectively responsible for defeating the scourge of terrorism and curbing militant activities inside Afghanistan.
Musharraf said Pakistan has done the maximum in the fight against terrorism, but stressed that joint efforts were needed for achieving the desired objectives.
He also briefed Cheney about the Indo-Pak talks to resolve their differences over Kashmir and other issues. (With PTI Inputs)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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