Appointment of Judges : President Zardari’s decision is in accordance with the constitution – prominent jurists say

Legal experts divided over appointments

Courtesy: Daily Times

LAHORE: The legal fraternity of the country remained divided over its views on the Supreme Court’s suspension of the presidential appointment of two top judges in an emergency ruling late on Saturday. Former Supreme Court Bar Association, SCBA president Ali Ahmed Kurd said the principle had been set by the SC verdict in the Al-Jihad Trust case that the senior most judge of a high court would be elevated to the Supreme Court. Barrister Zafar Ali Khan and former SC judge Fakhruddin Ebrahim also termed the president’s decision as being in accordance with the constitution. Prominent jurist Fawad Chaudhry said the president’s decision was in accordance with the constitution. He said according to Article 206 of the constitution, the judge stood as “retired” after refusing to accept the decision of elevation. People Lawyers Forum leaders Tanvir Hashmi and Rana Sufiyan Ali said the president’s decision was in accordance with the constitution and the SC verdict in the Al-Jehad Trust case.However, former Punjab advocate general Ashtar Ausaf said the president’s decision is unconstitutional as he acted against the CJP’s recommendations. Senior lawyer Dr Khalid Ranjha said a “vacuum is being deliberately created” to pave the way for third party interference.

Ayaz Latif Palijo gives strike call on Feb 19 against Chashma Jehlum Link Canal

PPP govt has failed to protect Sindh rights – By: Ramzan Chandio

– The Nation

… President Awami Tehreek and human rights lawyer Ayaz Latif Palijo, expressed these views in an interview with The Nation on Saturday. He said all the rulers of the past including Pakistan Muslim Leagues and People’s Party and their feudal cronies have always caused loss to Pakistanis in general and the Sindhis in particular and that the last two years have been no different.

People and Provinces must be careful in selecting/ electing their representatives

by Khalid Hashmani, McLean

.. behind-the-scene newspaper story about the dishonest and disloyal role played by the Balochistan representative in IRSA’s decision to open the Chashma-Jehlum link canal. The newspaper article was published in today’s edition of The News http://www.thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=27246. The fact that the Ch Muhammad Amin who was nominated by Balochistan to be its member on IRSA voted against the wishes of that province shows the danger in allowing those who have dubious loyalties to be provincial representatives. The people and provincial leaders must be careful in electing or selecting heir representatives for wrong decisions could come to haunt them later.

How to rule?

Source – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUqHNrXG-gA&feature=player_embedded

The crisis is systemic and will continue. Alarming indeed.

Omar Ali

Alarming indeed. Yesterday, chief sahib was sitting with Zardari with his arm on the back of the chair. He USED to sit with both hands squeezed between his thighs. In astrological circles, this is regarded as a very bad sign….

Having said that, I dont think much will change for the vast majority of our people even if chief sahib makes a move. The crisis is systemic and will continue. If the PPP had managed more political change, then the relapse into military rule would have been a huge disaster. As it is, they have not really been able to grab the initiative at all. Since we havent moved FORWARD as much as was needed, the setback may also be less of a change. People inside the country will be able to give a more accurate reading of the situation..

In any case, there is a fair amount of development work going on in infrastructure now and its financed and monitored by outside powers, so its likely to continue. IF chief saheb makes his move, then there will be fewer sindhis and more brigadiers trying to get in the way of the people actually doing the work.

The transformation from Jihadi state to normal country will be pushed back a bit, but with Anne Patterson sahiba keeping an eye on things, who knows, even that may not change much either way….

Courtesy: crdp@yahoogroups.com, Sat Feb 13, 2010