Both the ruling and opposition political parties – Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN) and Pakistan Tehrek-e-Insaaf (PTI), seem to take the controversial letter of Islamabad High Court judges to the Supreme Judicial Council as a blessing in disguise more than that of a question of the independence of judiciary.
Bigwigs from both of these parties claim that the letter in question was a bare proof of the innocence of their leadership in convictions.
Though the stance of stalwarts of both the said parties was different in nature but seems common in essence.
Voicing for the independence of judiciary, PTI Chairman Barrister Ghohar Ali Khan along with other party leaders have hoped yesterday that the letter in question would not be kept under carpet rather its benefit be given to their party founder within no time.
It seems as if this letter has given a new courage and confidence to PTI’s leadership which is gets reflected in their statements such as titling Mr. Khan as the imprisoned Prime Minister of Pakistan not the former PM. He demands an immediate release of Imran Khan declaring all his convictions as prejudiced in light of this letter. The PTI has also out rightly rejected the government’s principal decision for the formation of an inquiry commission to probe into the matter; rather they are taking this letter as sufficient proof for Mr. Khan’s innocence and an order for his immediate release. They are voicing for in seconds to decide Imran Khan’s release from jail and that by the Supreme Court aimed the letter in question.
Although they have also voiced for the independence of judiciary and have announced taking out of rallies to support judiciary but how one would believe it is question when a reference against Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Qazi Faez Isa -then judge of the SC – was initiated during Mr Khan’s premiership and Mr. Arif Ali the then president of this country. How Mr. Justice Faez Isa and his family were disgraced is a big question for the claims of the independence of judiciary by this party’s leadership.
Similarly, an attack over the judicial complex and disgrace removal of a then IHC’s judge Mr Shaukat Siddiqi from his office over same reasons as stated in this poses another question aginst these claims of him. Were any rallies taken out by the PTI in this regard? It is another fact that speaks what with extra emphasis is being demanded aimed the letter in question. Is it the political advantage or supremacy of law?
Similarly, How Mr Nawaz Sharif was convicted during PTI’s regime by judges of that time and noosed by National accountability Bureau was another open and bare fact that speaks for influenced justice. On the other hand PMLN states this letter was not the first one of its nature and quotes Mr. Shaukat Sidiqui’s case as an earlier example. Leaders of this party claim this letter itself speaks for the innocence of their party leadership.
To some extends it is true as convictions of Mr. Sharif and his family have been set aside by the courts. However what more this letter is for this party is obvious from Federal Law Minister’s yesterday briefing over Prime Minister’s meeting with the CJP. He stated what mentioned in this letter was the PMLN’s claim. Expressing more he said that it was his wish that investigation of the letter in question be started from the conviction of Mr. Nawaz. Moreover, when dozens of suo–moto were being taken by the then Chief Justice should also be the starting point of investigations, he wished. The Minister said that to investigate influence over judiciary they formed a commission in their coalition government but the then SC Chief Umer Atta Bandial set that aside and over what reasons was a question for them. However what is positive on the side of PMLN is that its government has announced an independent inquiry commission in this regard.
(Senior journalist Rana Kashif is the author)
