Today July 25 – the deadline set by the Supreme Court of
Pakistan to the incumbent Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf to write to the
Swiss Authorities asking them to take action against Asif Ali Sardari, the
Pakistan President with regard to the graft charges leveled against him(of late,
it is learnt that Pakistan Supreme Court has extended the deadline for another two
weeks) . Former Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani was disqualified for not
paying heed to the direction of Pak Supreme Court on the aforesaid sensitive
issue. Before the Supreme Court jury headed by Iftikar Muhammad Chaudhary, the
Chief Justice, Mr.Gilani explained the reasons for not writing to the Swiss
Authorities by stating that President Sardari enjoys immunity over the
sensitive issue which the Supreme Court couldn’t agree with. The court slapped
contempt of court charges against Mr.Gilani and was later disqualified him and
as a result the government led by Mr.Gilani had to bow out of office. Upon his
resignation from the post of PM as a result of the Supreme Court verdict
Pakistan Peoples’ Party chose Raja Pervaiz Ashraf who was the Minister of Water
and Power in the cabinet led by
Mr.Gilani, was elevated to the post of Prime Minister of Pakistan. It was a
foregone conclusion that the Pak Supreme Court would turn its attention on the
new PM Mr Ashraf over the same issue as soon as he took charge as PM. The court
served a notice on Mr.Ashraf also directing him to write to the Swiss
Authorities to take action against Pak President Asif Ali Sardari related to the graft charges raised against
him. Sticking to the same argument regarding Mr.Sardari enjoying immunity for
the charges leveled against him, the incumbent Prime Minister defied the
Supreme Court directive to write to the Swiss authorities citing the NRO
ordinance during the tenure of General Parvez Musharraf. The deadline set by
the Supreme Court ends today (reportedly extended by two weeks by the Court)
and it is almost certain that the court will move against Mr.Pervaiz Ashraf and
will be charged with contempt of court proceedings.
The ongoing tug of war between the Executive and Judiciary
has landed the ruling dispensation in a soup. With the Executive on one side
and Judiciary-Army nexus on the other, Pakistan seems to be heading towards a military
rule which is not something new to the citizens of Pakistan.
Judiciary and the Executive are not at all willing to reach
a meeting ground and how long this absurd drama is about to continue, nobody
knows.
Pakistan though ruled by a civilian govt it is under the
remote control of the army which is likely to usurp power anytime it deems
appropriate. Moreover the Pak citizens do have a propensity to be ruled by army
and for that they have many reasons to cite.
Law and order situation at its worst, corruption ruling the
roost, power shortage for more than 8-10 hours a day, terrorists on the prowl,
the people of Pakistan experience no peace and sense of security with the govt
remaining a mute spectators and as a result citizens lean towards army rule is
natural.
True. During the iron-fisted rule of (Retd) General Pervez
Musharraf Pakistanis longed for a democratic rule and they fought for it and
succeeded in ousting him from the post of President and cleared the way for a
democratically elected govt under Pakistan Peoples’ Party which emerged
victorious at the hustings. The Pakistanis were overjoyed and turned euphoric.
For them it was the fulfillment or realization of a long cherished dream. Unfortunately
their expectations proved in vain soon, due to the misrule of PPP govt which
led to turbulence and turmoil across the country. Now Pakistan is a nation of
disillusioned, disenchanted, frustrated people who are fed up with the ruling
regime of Pakistan Peoples’ Party . Whichever govt is at the helm one essential
thing the masses expect and desire is a good government which is capable of maintaining
a safe atmosphere free from fear, free from poverty, malnourishment and
unemployment, shortage of power and water, sanitation facilities – in short a
people-friendly govt. They are aware of the greatness of a democratic govt under
which freedom of speech, freedom of expression, freedom to move from one place
to another, freedom to settle-down wherever they want, freedom from fear and
sense of insecurity. If such necessities of life are not forthcoming they will go
to very lengths such a launching protest meetings, revolts and even engage in
violent activities - with patience reaching the bottom-line, the only
alternative left is to gird up the loins and fight to the hilt till the demands
are met.
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