Lal Masjid: The Judiciary carefully positions itself
Another desperate attempt has begun to save Pakistan from a descent into complete chaos.The Judiciary has carefully positioned itself on the Lal Masjid issue.
This shift in posture is visible on what appears to most eyes to be an unrelated affair, the reinstatement of the Chief Justice.
By over ruling Musharraf's decision to remove the Chief Justice Iftekhar Mohammad Chowdhary, the Supreme Court is attempting to place itself astride of the public resentment against Pervez Musharraf.
This will allow the court to pretend to be neutral in a drama that will soon be staged in Pakistan. In this drama that will propel itself to the top of the national agenda in Pakistan, the Islamists will attempt to confront the America backed Musharraf regime. Sure a legal proceeding of this nature will provide yet another platform for anti-Musharraf discontent to spray itself into the air but by ensuring the appearance of neutrality, the Judiciary will attempt to ensure that the fight between the Army and the Jihadis remains confined to the narrowly defined legal terms. Enmeshing both sides in a legalistic framework might shift the battle off the streets.
Frankly I think this is a long shot, we are all beggars for options right now and beggars can't be chosers. That may be what prompted Musharraf to accept the verdict, despite the appearance it gives of providing an alternative power center in the country.
posted by maverick @ 9:01 AM
3 Comments:
I believe the reinstatement has weakened Musharraf's postion, significantly.
OTOH - Maverick, do you think the General will last the year?
hi m,
they say cat has nine lives, musharaff has many lives. He may have been weakened , but guess what would have happened to Pakistan
Anonymous and Kautilya,
He has not weakened at all.
This is a side show, a part of a wider drama created to enhance the judiciary's stature in the eyes of the people - that silent majority that he keeps yapping about - whose support he once claimed and now fears losing.
The judiciary has long been suspected to be in the pocket of the executive. By openly demonstrating that it is not - the judiciary has laid claim to "neutrality" in any dispute - especially one with the military.
Look very carefully at the events of the past two weeks. The bomb that targetted the Chowdhary rally, it exploded before he arrived, not during - not after... but before. The message to the CJP was pretty clear.. play by our rules or else...
But you know what I find supremely amusing? that these British jackassess actually believe that their efforts have any relevance in the region.
I am not joking they actually believe that Musharraf or the next military dictator is somehow going to magically take them seriously when the best their security services can manage is a joint-cowering-in-fright plan with the US.
I honestly do not believe that the British are that stupid. Perhaps given their natural wile this is an attempt to make it look to the Americans like they are actually to doing something while in fact they are doing nothing.
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