Ch. Iftikhar was wrong to meet with Zardari say Lawyers

Society Pakistan & World Affairs
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The leading supprters of the ex-CJ are voicing more and more disquiet over his meeting with Zardari

http://www.nation.com.pk/daily/mar-2008/28/image/index1p.jpg

Chaudhry-Zardari meeting harmful to judiciary, say lawyers

  • Justice (r) Tariq says it was condolence reference, not meeting

By Masood Rehman

ISLAMABAD: Jurists have criticised Thursday’s meeting between Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, the sacked chief justice of Pakistan (CJP), and Asif Ali Zardari, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) co-chairman, saying that such contacts are harmful to the judiciary’s independence. Chaudhry Aitzaz Ahsan, the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) chief; Tariq Parvez, the sacked CJ of the Peshawar High Court; Hamid Khan; Munir A Malik; and Justice (r) Tariq Mehmood visited Zardari on Thursday to offer their condolences over the assassination of former premier Benazir Bhutto. Former SCBA president Muhammad Akram Sheikh viewed the meeting as against judicial ethics, and damaging to the independence of the judiciary. “Being a supporter of the independent judiciary, one should take every step with extraordinary care,” Sheikh said. He said that a Supreme Court bench, headed by Chaudhry, had stayed the implementation of the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO), and therefore it did not suit him to meet Zardari. The NRO provides amnesty to public office-holders charged in corruption cases between 1986 and 1999. “The late CJP, Justice Sir Abdul Rashid, refused to meet Liaquat Ali Khan, the country’s first prime minister, after he knew about some cases of the federation pending with the Supreme Court,” Sheikh said.

Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) Vice Chairman Mirza Aziz Akbar Baig called the Chaudhry-Zardari meeting against the judicial norms and practices. Advocate Muhammad Nawaz Kharal said the PBC had passed a resolution against former CJP Muhammad Afzal Zullah when he received the then premier Nawaz Sharif and opposition leader Benazir Bhutto at a ceremony to mark the centenary celebrations of the Lahore High Court. Muhammad Ikram Chaudhry said that a judge from any court should not meet a person whose case was pending with his court.

Condolence reference: “It was not a meeting. Instead it was a condolence reference, which is within the ambit of judicial as well as moral ethics,” Justice (r) Tariq Mahmood said.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008\03\29\story_29-3-2008_pg7_32

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Re: Ch. Iftikhar was wrong to meet with Zardari say Lawyers

More leading supporters of the ex-CJ speaking out against his meeting with Zardari.

Iftikhar shouldn’t have met Zardari, says Wajih

LAHORE, April 1: Justice Wajihuddin Ahmad (retired) said on Tuesday deposed chief justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry should not have met PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari. “The condolence could have been offered through a letter. In future such matters should be dealt with care,” Justice Wajih said at a function organised by Alfa, a lawyers body, to award shields and certificates to lawyers in appreciation of their efforts during the drive for restoration of the judiciary. Wajih said the atmosphere of the meeting, where the chief justice had to sit across the table with Asif Ali Zardari, was not appropriate. As far as the judges’ restoration was concerned, he said, he did not even have a shred of doubt over the restoration of the illegally-removed judges because the matter was now a national issue.

http://www.dawn.com/2008/04/02/nat7.htm

Iftikhar’s meeting with Asif invites criticism

Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, along with some of the deposed judges of the Peshawar High Court, met PPP co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari at the latter’s residence here on Thursday to offer condolences on the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto. “The meeting was only meant to offer condolences on the assassination of Ms Benazir Bhutto,” former president of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) Justice (retd) Tariq Mehmood told reporters outside the Zardari House, dispelling an impression that the meeting was linked to the issue of restoration of deposed judges. But despite his denial that the visit had anything to do with the issue of reinstatement of judges, eye-brows were raised by the 45-minute meeting, with former chief justice Saeeduzzaman Siddiqui suggesting during an interview with the DawnNews, that it would have been better for him (Justice Iftikhar) to avoid meeting Mr Zardari, especially at a time when the issue of restoration judges was at a crucial stage. **Senior Supreme Court lawyer Naseer Ahmad Chaudhry said that although the stated reason of the meeting was to condole the death of Ms Bhutto, there might be “more to it than meets the eyes”. Instead of such meetings, he suggested, parliament should be allowed to debate the issue of deposed judges. **Deposed judges of the PHC Chief Justice Tariq Pervez and Justice Shahjehan also attended the meeting besides SCBA President Aitzaz Ahsan, Senator Raza Rabbani and Naveed Qamar. “How could the (deposed) chief justice ignore the botched attempt of Ms Bhutto on Nov 10, 2007, to visit him (Justice Iftikhar) at his official residence in the then besieged judges’ colony?” Mr Aitzaz Ahsan said, while talking to newsmen after the meeting. Justice Tariq replied in the affirmative when asked if the code of conduct for judges allowed such meetings. The activities of Justice Iftikhar on Thursday included a meeting with a six-member delegation of US congressmen, led by John F. Tierney, who heads the National Security and Foreign Affairs sub-committee of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. Mr Ahsan said it was meant to discuss the constitutional amendments made during the emergency rule clamped by President Pervez Musharraf as the then chief of the army staff on Nov 3.

http://www.dawn.com/2008/03/28/top5.htm

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Re: Ch. Iftikhar was wrong to meet with Zardari say Lawyers

Sorry Reza. No one cares. Mushys kursi is burning and we are all dancing to his wails of agony and humiliation :)

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Re: Ch. Iftikhar was wrong to meet with Zardari say Lawyers

Were you opposed to him meeting Zardar? If so, why?

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Re: Ch. Iftikhar was wrong to meet with Zardari say Lawyers

Simple logic. Asif Zardari will never allow Ch.Iftikhar to be restored, if he stays the NRO as he did previously, and starts hearing cases against it again. The only way that Ch.Iftikhar will be restored is through a political understanding with Zardari and the like that he does not touch the NRO.

Are you not opposed to Ch.Iftikhar meeting Zardari (as his leading lawyer supporters are)? If so, why not?

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Re: Ch. Iftikhar was wrong to meet with Zardari say Lawyers

Why are you worry about NRO? Don't u remember that NRO was issued by Mushrraf? So, if Mushrraf is clean...Zardar is clean (according to Mushrraf). BTW, as for as I know CJ violated no law by meeting Zardari and nor is issue of NRO pending before the SC.

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Re: Ch. Iftikhar was wrong to meet with Zardari say Lawyers

^
You did really answer my question, but I'll let you off. :)

As I stated the only way that Ch.Iftikhar will be restored is through a political understanding with Zardari, whereby he (Iftikhar) agrees not to touch the NRO. Just wait and see.

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Re: Ch. Iftikhar was wrong to meet with Zardari say Lawyers

No, its not Zardar who is going to restore the CJ. PPP dosen't really want to rock the boat too hard. The main person behind judges restoration is NS and the PMLN...and only reason why PMLN joined PPP govt was on the condition that PPP would help restore judges.

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Re: Ch. Iftikhar was wrong to meet with Zardari say Lawyers

Which boat is that?

As far Nawaz Sharif. Let's be honest that man's stance on the judiciary (like on other matters) is solely based on the his belief that it will oust Musharraf. It is not based on high-minded principles of an independent of judiciary etc, because after all history is judge to what he has done to an independent judiciary and it's Chief Justice.

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Re: Ch. Iftikhar was wrong to meet with Zardari say Lawyers

Raza Pehlvi,

Baat ka batangarh banana aap ka man pasand paisha hay shayad:( I appologise to be too blunt. Bhai mere, there is nothing wrong meeting with Zardari. For sake of argument, if this meeting was restoring him on the same position, there is nothing wrong with that too. He was removed illegally two times by Mush who himself is a illegal president forced on people of Pakistan for the last 9 years.:D

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Re: Ch. Iftikhar was wrong to meet with Zardari say Lawyers

It wasn't wrong, morally. It "looked" wrong.

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Re: Ch. Iftikhar was wrong to meet with Zardari say Lawyers

^^
Why is it morally wrong? Can you be more specific? Sitting CJ takes dictation from illegal president that is right. But a forced retiree CJ, meeting with the head of one political party for condolence of his wife is morally wrong?

Even if Ex CJ discussed his re-instatement is not morally wrong, because it is not in the hands of Zardari to re-instate him. It is the committee who will decide ex-CJ’s fate. To be honest, Chaudhry Iftekhar Hussain should re-instated without delay, so that Mush should know his wrong and illegal actions can be voided.

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Re: Ch. Iftikhar was wrong to meet with Zardari say Lawyers

It wasn't wrong morally because he went to console for BB's death. Because the dictator had him and all the other justices under house arrest.

It looked wrong because he is going to be restored and with propaganda machines already looking for something to work with, they got their cue here. And we hear the whisping cries 'Ohhhh conspiracy, CJ met with AZ and now they have a deal'.

It is a known fact that NS and AZ's entire campaign ran on the fact that Judiciary should be free. So it should come as no surprise to the Pro-Musharraf people that Judiciary will be restored.

Personally, i think Iftikhar Ch. should have phoned Zardari to offer his condolences, and a visit was a bit too untimely. It kinda supplied the fuel to the spark.

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Re: Ch. Iftikhar was wrong to meet with Zardari say Lawyers

^^My dear I don't see any wrong here. It is CJ's right and personal choice to meet any one including Mush or AH.:)

Those Who Hate Ekta Kapoor Express Your Hate Here !!
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Re: Ch. Iftikhar was wrong to meet with Zardari say Lawyers

Bad idea. CJ shouldn't have met Zardari. Left a bad taste in my mouth.

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Re: Ch. Iftikhar was wrong to meet with Zardari say Lawyers

^^Why? So it is a crime to console personally some one for the deceased.

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Re: Ch. Iftikhar was wrong to meet with Zardari say Lawyers

^ Such meetings aren't usually what they are described as, 'console' may have been part of the meeting agenda but not the sole purpose :)

The Random Thread
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Re: Ch. Iftikhar was wrong to meet with Zardari say Lawyers

Odd that this leaves a bad taste in people's mouths but the fact that the CJ children weren't allowed to give their exams or go to schools, was A okay by their standard. Its really pathetic.

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Re: Ch. Iftikhar was wrong to meet with Zardari say Lawyers

Shamraz that's according to the desire od the people...and if Zardarigo against the the desire of the people he will commit politicsl suicide...

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Re: Ch. Iftikhar was wrong to meet with Zardari say Lawyers

I don’t know what is going on, but something fishy is happening, and Zardari should know better.

http://nation.com.pk/daily/Apr-2008/4/index2.php

‘Iftikhar to be shown door through new law’

Assad Hameed
ISLAMABAD - The Gillani Government is considering a legal package under which the deposed judges would be reinstated within 30 days but sacked Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry will be shown the door through a new law that would restrict the tenure of country’s top judge to three years.
Sources privy to the contemplation on this legal package have informed TheNation that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz is the only hurdle in the way of this “wayout” to solve the sensitive issue of the deposed judges as other components of ruling People Democratic Alliance (PDA) are in agreement over the resolution.
Contrary to Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Awami National Party (ANP), Jamiat Ullema-i-Islam-Fazal, (JUI-F), PML-N is, however, strongly opposed to the idea of restoring deposed judges sans Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry. Mutahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), which is under the process of being inducted in government, already has serious reservations against Justice Iftikhar, the government sources pointed out.
The experts treating judicial crises, on the other hand, are trying to convince the PML-N that the former top adjudicator of the country would be honourably retired after being reinstated in coming June, the month that marks the completion of third anniversary of his appointment as Chief Justice of Pakistan.
Furthermore, they are also pleading that the personality of Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry has also gone beyond the impartiality as being backed by several political parties, persons, organizations and groups after being sacked on November 3 last year for a second time.
PML-N, which bagged second majority seats in Parliament in February 18 elections on the slogan of restoring the deposed judges, is, however, least impressed by the idea.
His first dismissal on March 9 last year was, however, turned down by a full court of the apex court which reinstated Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry at his position in July same year.
Had he not been removed from office, Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry would have continued as Chief Justice of Pakistan until 2013, one of the longest stretch of a chief justice in tainted judicial history of Pakistan after coming into being in 1947.
Under the present scheme of the Constitution, a chief justice remains so until attaining the age of superannuation, which is 63.