ISLAMABAD, 28 June 2007 — The tug-of-war between judiciary and the executive, which started after President Pervez Musharraf suspended the chief justice, had hugely damaged the country, a top judge said yesterday.
Musharraf ousted Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry on March 9, a move that has sparked the biggest opposition movement of his eight-year rule.
Chaudhry, who has denied charges of misconduct leveled by the president, has challenged his suspension in the Supreme Court and the case has been underway for more than a month.
“This is not a case but a crisis. This has caused huge damage,” Presiding Judge Khalil-ur-Rehman Ramday told the court as Chaudhry’s lawyers finished their arguments.
Ramday asked defense lawyer Aitzaz Ahsan, “If the chief justice was restored; will he strengthen the judiciary and follow a policy of forget and forgive.”
Ramday continued saying, “Will he (Chaudhry) turn the judiciary a vibrant institution to provide justice to common people and restore dignity, honor and prestige of superior courts.
“We all have to work together to undo the damage caused by it.”
Chaudhry’s suspension sparked large protests, which culminated in Karachi on May 12, when street gun battles between pro- and anti-government supporters left more than 40 people dead.
The chief justice has also led a series of processions and rallies in several towns, which have each attracted tens of thousands of supporters.
Opponents have used the case to ask questions about Pakistan’s progress toward full democracy and the dual role of president and army chief currently held by Musharraf, who seized power in a bloodless coup in 1999.
They allege the independent-minded Chaudhry was an obstacle to Musharraf’s aim to get reelected as president-in-uniform by the outgoing Parliament this year in defiance of the constitution.
The government alleges that Chaudhry abused his position to get top jobs for his son and obtain the use of official vehicles, as well as to spy on other judges.
Chaudhry’s main lawyer said yesterday as he wrapped up his arguments that the chief justice would be ready to take the stand in the Supreme Court over an affidavit he filed in May.
Chaudhry alleged that he was intimidated by Musharraf and generals who called him to the president’s army office and pressured him to resign, but that he refused.
“It will be an honor for the chief justice to come to the witness box and be cross-examined on the contents of his affidavit by the court,” Aitzaz Ahsan told the court.
Fire in Parliament
Meanwhile, a fire broke out in the National Assembly building damaging some 10 year old important records.
The fire erupted late Tuesday in the building’s top floor, the media said yesterday. While there were no casualties, two firemen were rendered unconscious by smoke.
