Expressing disappointment over the Supreme Court’s short order in the memo case, Asma Jahangir, counsel for former ambassador to the US Husain Haqqani, on Friday questioned whether the court was there to serve and protect the rights of the public or the establishment. She told reporters at the Supreme Court building that it was a dark day for the judiciary and she was forced to think whether it was the judiciary of the people or the judiciary of the establishment. She also warned that in future, this decision would haunt the petitioners and they would remember her statement. She said the civilian authority had come under the military establishment. “I was expecting at least one dissenting note/voice against the judgement, but I did not see any ray of hope in the court today,” she said. Expressing disappointment over her struggle for the restoration of the judiciary, she said the court’s decision had compromised a person’s right to justice.
“It is sad that the superior judiciary has done it and if saying this is a contempt of court, then I am ready to go to jail for the implementation of the rule of law,” she added. She contended that the judgement was not in accordance with the law. She, however, accepted the court’s decision, even if she had not agreed with it. She contended that the court had given the petitioners relief more than they had asked for and the court had given the national security more priority than fundamental rights. She said she would wait for the detailed verdict and then would decide if she would file a review petition against the court’s short order. Meanwhile, Attorney General Maulvi Anwarul Haq told reporters the court had not said anything about the parliamentary committee, which was also probing the memo issue. He said he could not say that the court’s decision was against the constitution, adding that anyone had the right to oppose the court’s decision on any matter. He said the court had also given him the task to investigate the alleged memo. He said the government would consider filing a review petition after examining the detailed judgement.
He said the commission would start its work after receiving the court’s December 30 short order.
During the course of arguments by the counsel of HUSSAIN HAQQANI, she tried to scandalize the S.C. She spoke more on irrelevant things rather on legal points. Should we believe that nine honorable judges have gone wrong? She has the right to file review if feel aggrieved. nothing less nothing more.
Asma Jehangit is absolutely correct to question the judges whether they have become a tool of the establishment the very establishment who insulted the same chief justice not long ago and it was the successful movement of the lawyers and civil society which brought them back to their chairs. The CJP may have personal grievances against the president of the republic but this does not mean that he should endorse the unconstitutional action of the DG ISI to bypass the defence ministry to take unilateral action and file a statement in the supreme court.
The CJP should not forget that the military has been ruling the roost whether there was a civilian government or military dictatorship. This must end to let the fledgling democracy march forward.
Asma Jehangir is absolutely right.
Comments are closed.