Re: Pakistan's top judge is suspended
Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry was appointed in 2005 and was due to retire at the end of 2013. In the past chief justice could have done anything and if government would have found any wrong by the chief justice, worse they would have done was to keep quite or blackmail that CJ to do what government would like. No CJ in Pakistan was ever sent for enquiries on their wrong doings.
Well, this CJ was keeping the government side happy as the letter from Naeem Bukhari wrote. One can see his behaviour when dealing with Sharifuddin Pirzada (Government attorney and spokesman).
From Naeem Bukhari letter:
Musharraf step shows that when Musharraf found CJ wrong doings, Musharraf did not stayed quite nor showed any interest in blackmailing CJ to do anything he likes, rather Musharraf did what was constitutionally right. What Musharraf did was that when complain on CJ wrongdoings came, he asked CJ to defend himself and when CJ could not, he suspended CJ and send his information for investigations (a very cool, decent, and appropriate step to take).
I am sure that Chief Justice could never have thought that his wrongdoings would be questioned by anyone, as in Pakistan (well, most third world countries), people in power consider themselves Kings of the country and Laws does not apply to them. Normally Chief Justice thinks that he is Emperor and that such fate can never fall on him that he would be asked about his wrongdoings by anyone or could get suspended and his name going for investigation.
That the reasons most news reporters and people in Pakistan when thinking about CJ wrongdoings could not see that what he was doing regarding his behaviour, misuse of power and regarding his son were deeply wrong thing to do (especially in position where he should have been example and these wrongs are vary serious). So, these ignorant Pakistanis are linking CJ suspension and enquiry with ridiculous things, like any decision CJ may have made in distance past against government.
Nevertheless, what happened is also a big signal to people in government; that includes people in power, that if they would do any corruption or wrongdoings, they could find themselves in similar fate as what met by Chief Justice. I am sure that what happened with CJ on his wrongdoings must have started making government officials (bureaucrats) and ministers sweat, as they might have realised that plate under them could get too hot to handle if they abuse power, do nepotism, involve in corruption or do any thing wrong. [Actually, to an extend, politician and GS of PML(Q) Imtiaz Shaikh met similar fate because of corruption]
This event must have sent chill amongst judges and others in judiciary that regularly abuse power, do nepotism, and get involved in corruption. Even people in law enforcement agencies (police, customs, etc) must be feeling worried.
Note: What Chief Justice was accused of doing and what he did, that at all level is done by many people in Pakistan power echelon without thinking that anyone would question them. That is the reason some believe that what CJ did was nothing that big however wrong and disgusting.
Nevertheless, what Chief Justice was doing in that position was wrong and if Musharraf is sincere to take Pakistan to great heights, to act against CJ was absolute necessary. Certainly Musharraf could have used the report of CJ misuse of power for getting CJ do whatever he likes, but he did not.
It seems that Musharraf is not interested in abusing judiciary and is truly sincere and slowly changing things in Pakistan towards making Pakistan a better place, free of corruption, nepotism, and power misuse. Well, it was Musharraf government that appointed this CJ and could have sacked him without going through enquiry, but the step he took was most appropriate (not like NS, BB, ZIa, Bhutto, Yahya, Ayub that if they did not liked a face, they would have loved to sack that person without enquiry or reason).
are you on Pak Army`s payroll?
Damm