Pakistan’s top judge, Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry is suspended by President Pervez Musharraf for “misuse of authority”. The alligation against him is that he got his son a job in FIA even though he got only 16 marks in the exam.
Recently a number of private television stations carried reports about his son’s appointment to a senior police post amid claims that he was not qualified for the position.
I thought that man was a good judje any comments people?
Re: Pakistan's top judge is suspended
He was perhaps the most active head Supreme Court ever had. During his tenure, the apex court recorded most suo moto cases in its history. Also, he very pro-actively managed to get rid of a huge backlog of cases hanging on head of the court.
Apparently, he got on a collision path with the government with SC's decision on Steel Mill case and later on, as it is widely suggested, his suo moto on missing people had put immense pressure on law enforcement forces and government.
I have no knowledge if he is really involved in any wrongdoing. But am very much sure that government's resentment with his being too active and too blatant must have played some role in this whole drama. It's a very very sad event in our history and a blot on our political system. Let's see how things develop from thereon.
Re: Pakistan's top judge is suspended
Another thing is timing. The second most-senior judge who could have been an appointment replacing Justice Iftikhar, was Justice Bhagwandas. I understand that he was also an 'active' judge and as far as style is concerned, he was a copy of Justice Iftikhar. The government seems to have planned it in such a way that Justice Bhagwandas is out of the country and therefore, wasn't availble to assume the job. He was also one of the judges who voted against the sale of Steel Mill and he also came into the news when the Punjab government, despite Supreme Court banning Basant, allowed the event to proceed. At that time, Justice Iftikhaar was in China on a 10-day visit and Justice Bhagwandas was the acting chief justice. He also took the suo moto and issued summons to the chief secretary Punjab to explain as to how the festival could be given a go-ahead despite clear instructions from the supreme court.
Another viewpoint that I came across was from a former Sindh High Court's judge. He says that according to the article 198 of the constitution, the chief justice cannot be removed from his post even in the event of a reference being sent or heard by the Supreme Judicial Council. He said it's just like impeacement of the president in which case, president continues to hold his office and no caretaker president is appointed. he said refrence against chief justice if fine, but he should have been allowed to continue in his post. The only curb on him, in this case, would had him not attending the proceedings of the Supreme Judicial Council when the case would have been heard.
Re: Pakistan's top judge is suspended
Why sales of Steel Mill is becoming such an issue??
I always thought that atleast judiciary is free in Pakistan,but this act might deny that too..
Re: Pakistan's top judge is suspended
Judiciary is free? Where are you? In caves?
Judiciary is both restricted & corrupt in Pakistan. I do believe that Iftakhaq Chaudhry was perhaps involved in wrongdoing (at least for the out of merit appointment of his son) but on the other hand I also believe that although this is the reason given for his suspension, this is not the actual reason. His suspension is more politically motivated than his wrongdoings. He was on course of collision with Govt. Just look at the cases including decisions on Steel Mills case and proceedings of “Missing persons” case.
He was very pro-active judge but then you cant afford to be corrupt. What do they say, “SHESHEY K GHAR MAIN BAITH KER DOSROON PER PATHER NAHI PHAINKNEY CHEHYEEN”
Amal, I think Javed Iqbal is only temp Chief Justice and Bhagwan Das will take over once he is back.
PS: Only thing free in Pakistan right now is MEDIA and I do give the credit to Musharraf for that.
Re: Pakistan’s top judge is suspended
I am not sure if this letter was already posted by someone on this forum or no. This is a letter written by Naeem Bokhari to Chief Justice.
Re: Pakistan's top judge is suspended
CJ was summoned to army house where he met President Musharaf who was wearing his army uniform. He was asked to explain the charges against him and while he was still in army house, Justice Javaid Iqbal took oath as acting CJ. (Geo News)
It appears Musharaf wanted to show the poor judge, who is the boss.
Ex-President Lahore Bar Association Hamid Khan said on Geo news, "Lot of corruption has been going on in Judiciary and Bar association has been up in arms about it, but, for first time in 28 years a reference has been filed against a judge in Judcial Bar on charges that are laughable compared to corruption charges against judges that are still working."
Ex-Chief Justice Wajihuddin on Geo-news, "Described it as worst incident in judicial history of Pakistan, where chief justice of Pakistan was summoned in army house and asked to explain his conduct b4 an army chief."
Guess, Chief Justice, just went too far when he took sou moto notice of disappearences in Pakistan.
Re: Pakistan's top judge is suspended
That's what happens when we are ruled by a power hungry dictator backed by a power hungry Army.
Sad development in our sad history.
Re: Pakistan’s top judge is suspended
Dammmmm, if what Mr Bokhari has written is tru then this CJ deserves to be booted out. Steel mill issue was done last year and we all praised the CJ, and the Govt did not react negatively. Credit to Mush & Co must be given for respecting the CJ and his independence. But this has taken a ugly turn and needs more time and information before we pass judgement.
Re: Pakistan's top judge is suspended
Judiciary is free? Where are you? In caves? Judiciary is both restricted & corrupt in Pakistan.
Agree. I will only add that it's highly restricted and highly corrupt.
Amal, I think Javed Iqbal is only temp Chief Justice and Bhagwan Das will take over once he is back.
It should happen like this. But when Justice Javed Iqbal was asked by a journalist whether Justice Bhagwandas will join Supreme Judicial Council's proceeding on the reference against Justice Iftikhar, he was very diplomatic instead of being straightforward. He said we would see when he returns.
Secondly, I understand that he could have been called from India in such a crisis. I think the government was in a position to be without a chief justice for a couple of hours. I just have this feeling that Justice Bhagwandas isn't in the good books of the government as he was very harsh in his judgement in Steel Mill case.
Another thing, since Justice Bhagwandas is to be retired in September this year reaching age of 65, government might not be interested in him as chief justice anyway.
Re: Pakistan's top judge is suspended
That's what happens when we are ruled by a power hungry dictator backed by a power hungry Army.
Sad development in our sad history.
Your an unbelievably backward ..., you know that dont you? Anything good that happens in Pakistan to stamp out corruption, if it's done by any party other than your own PPP or whichever corrupt bastad you support, you say it's a sad development. Grow up ...., see what's good for Pakistan, not your own backward corrupt party, and cheer on the good things, whoever does them.
Re: Pakistan's top judge is suspended
Pakistan's top judge, Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry is suspended by President Pervez Musharraf for "misuse of authority". The alligation against him is that he got his son a job in FIA even though he got only 16 marks in the exam.
Recently a number of private television stations carried reports about his son's appointment to a senior police post amid claims that he was not qualified for the position.
I thought that man was a good judje any comments people?
Any form of corruption should be stamped out. This is a good warning to those who are thinking about it.
Re: Pakistan's top judge is suspended
...
Well put roadrunner, we liked him for what he turned out to be for us. We don't have inside news like the letter of Naeem Bukhari. And if that letter is true, than let justice take its course.
Re: Pakistan’s top judge is suspended
I don’t who this nameless “Sindh High Court judge” is but he sure does not know his facts. Article 198 of the constitution refers to the ‘Seat of the High court’ and mentions nothing about the Suprem Court, the Judicial council or the process to remove any SC judges. Here check for yourself.
Re: Pakistan's top judge is suspended
roadrunner and amal
Is sadgi pey kaun a mer aye as khuda
How come suddenly the government became so concerned about corruption of power when bonafide corrupts like Faisal Saleh are sitting in cabinet.
CJ hit a sensitive nerve when he took sou moto notice of disappearences by secret agencies. Is he the only corrupt judge in Pakistan. Why is he the only one against whom a presdential reference has been filed?
Re: Pakistan’s top judge is suspended
you supporters of the dictator will come up with any excuse
Do you even know who Naeem Bokhari is? There are dozen’s of letter’s printed in papers everyday, they don’t justify such actions. A personal opinion of one man is the gospel truth for you…what a fool 
Yet another blow to the institutions of Pakistan by the power hungry dictator in uniform, just as when several SC judges refused to take a new oath under the Provisional Constitution Order (PCO), they were forced to resign.
and you think it’s for the ‘good of Pakistan’.
you have a lot to learn little boy
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As far as I know, he is one of the good ones around in Supreme Court.
I wish, he could bring all the Steel Mill evidence and show the public, whats going on.
As far as this allegation against him, I don't know if its true. But we can surely come up with a whole list of people who are manipulating Pakistan's Laws according to their own benefits. Why are they still in the govt?.
Re: Pakistan's top judge is suspended
roadrunner and amal
Is sadgi pey kaun a mer aye as khuda
How come suddenly the government became so concerned about corruption of power when bonafide corrupts like Faisal Saleh are sitting in cabinet.
CJ hit a sensitive nerve when he took sou moto notice of disappearences by secret agencies. Is he the only corrupt judge in Pakistan. Why is he the only one against whom a presdential reference has been filed?
exactly, this 'corruption' is present throughout the judiciary and all govt institutions, yet only when the judge starts to move against govt corruption and killings, do they get dismissed.
We will never have any institutions to build our country this way
Re: Pakistan’s top judge is suspended
I don’t remember the name of the judge, but he was a former Sindh High Court chief justice. And I think I also messed up with the article number. But I think constitution does provide space for acting chief justice: See below
I wonder how that retired chief justice concluded that the an acting chief justice cannot be installed.
Re: Pakistan's top judge is suspended
roadrunner and amal
Is sadgi pey kaun a mer aye as khuda
How come suddenly the government became so concerned about corruption of power when bonafide corrupts like Faisal Saleh are sitting in cabinet.
CJ hit a sensitive nerve when he took sou moto notice of disappearences by secret agencies. Is he the only corrupt judge in Pakistan. Why is he the only one against whom a presdential reference has been filed?
Your missing the point. Every step taken to eliminate corruption is a good thing. There have been prosecutions of military generals by NAB. Afaik, this case is to do with a son given a position he did not deserve. Do you honestly think a case could be made, if the son had not already been given the job? It seems clear the son was given the job despite being underqualified. Now who manipulated the things behind the scene to achieve this situation is what is in question. The judge is high on the list of suspects. Could someone be trying to get him out of power, yes. Should Musharaf take action and find out who did abuse their position? Yes he should. What it looks like is that the judge is not on trial. If he's innocent then he'll be let back in, but until he proves his innocence he shouldnt be allowed to carry on the way he is. it's a senior position.