Free Judiciary and Media; Reality or Delusion?

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Re: Free Judiciary and Media; Reality or Delusion?

@Haris Zuberi

Accidental Saviours

The much hailed SC verdict regarding the CJ and the Presidential Reference as well as the CJ’s post restoration actions further strengthens the belief that President General Pervez Musharraf’s government has indeed introduced all forms of freedom previously unknown to Pakistan under military or civil rule alike. And no mention is necessary regarding the exponentially improved media freedom; any reasoning eye or ear oriented with the past bears testimony.

1. God giveth, god taketh away. What Musharraf can’t giveth, he can’t taketh away. Ponder the fiasco of Pemra Amendment 2007. Musharraf tolerated freedom only to the extent where it was not hurting his own ends. Otherwise, AAJ, ARY, GEO, HERALD will readily testify to the high doses of freedom *given *to them by the benevolent dictator.
2. The connection between the Presidential Reference and freedom of media is only inverse. Remember the cable black outs? I think Karachi was worst hit when CJ traveled to Lahore and Karachi. Won’t you bear testimony to that?
3. Take a look at the Press Freedom Index. You’d be surprised to find out we do worse than Russia, Kyrgystan, Russia and IRAQ, Syria and Libya.
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@Haris Zuberi

However one seriously wonders, has the judiciary and media really been strengthened and freed? Strengthened by and yet ironically against this government yes, but have these fraternities also strengthened themselves and fortified any morals and code of conduct against the greater, older and much graver threats from feudalism, elitism, industrialism, bribery, extremism, nepotism, racism, misinterpreted Shariah, political power play, political influence as well as political influentials and their pressures…!?

If the time period for the freedom of judiciary and media is post 9 march (as I gather from your post), then isn’t it asking a bit much? The question u pose can be asked from the government , especially Musharraf who came in holding out exactly the sort of promises that would get rid of exactly the sort of malice u mentioned in your post. 8 years. Progress? Today, the cement, oil, capital market, construction, automotive and sugar mafia r stronger than ever before. I am sure u have read up on some of the adventures of these groups.

@Haris Zuberi

Will the judiciary and media comprehensively remain strong against all these social injustices and enemies of law & order…? Or is it all just selective, temporary and hyped up for popular public consumption?

Is the judiciary playing to the gallery? We don’t know. Trouble is, even if it is, that doesn’t help Musharraf’s case at all. What judiciary says, whether playing up or in all seriousness, has to be followed through. And if it says, the giver of all freedom, should go, then he must go. However, what is more important for me is that the judiciary gives honest decisions. And as long as it is doing that, I am fine with it.

@Haris Zuberi

They have been able to fight this government which is under attack from every corner due to its moderate handling, so the judiciary and media took part in the royal rumble too, but will the judiciary & media; all judges, lawyers, media personalities and journalists have the character, strength and moral capacity to face, fight and win over all the other curses/obstacles hampering freedom of judiciary, and law & order and social harmony atleast half as boldly if not more…!?

I am sorry sir. May 12 was anything BUT moderate, unless u have a definition of moderate which is significantly different from my understanding. I won’t even go into what happened to CJ when he was house arrested because that particular “moderate mishandling” was accepted by the moderately enlightened one himself. Attack on Geo? AAj? All moderately handled?

@Haris Zuberi

Unfortunately I don’t see a very promising picture because feudals and influentials of all genres are sponsors to a lot more than we can imagine, and when there are vested (often commercial) interests at stake, all slogans for freedom and righteousness evaporate, sooner than expected. And even hypocrisy is justified with rosy reasoning.

How come the executive is absolved of fighting all crimes? What has Musharraf done in 8 years or not done that u want judiciary to do or undo in months? And why is Musharraf making deals with the biggest problem in society…the feudals, in shape of PPP?

As for CJ, his suo moto’s on Vani , karo kari, and manu bheel r there for everyone to see. No need repeating.