Pak Tea House » lawyers movement
The Curious Case of Suo Moto Notice of Ms. Odho’s Wine Bottles
By D. Asghar Any reasonable person will not disagree, that if Ms. Odho was violating any law by carrying two wine bottles in her luggage, from Islamabad to Karachi on a PIA flight, she is answerable. If there is a law that requires her to declare the spirits she is carrying, with her on a domestic flight, then it should be enforced. There is no question that Ms. Odho is a frequent traveler and more than likely … Read entire article »
Filed under: Democracy, Fashion, Images, Judiciary, lawyers movement, Pakistan, Politics, Society
Lawyers of Lahore High Court Offer ” Namaz-e-Janaza” of OBL
The Lahore High Court lawyers show their true fanatic and reactionary colors by actually offering funeral prayers for the recently killed Al Qaida leader, Osama Bin Laden. Hundreds of lawyers attended this “funeral” and immediately afterwards there were several speeches in which the speakers vehemently condemned the US action and termed it as a clear violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty. Several speakers hailed the dead leader as a “hero” of the Muslim world and sternly warned … Read entire article »
Filed under: Law, lawyers movement
Asma Jahangir – One of Pakistan’s Greatest Assets
By Nimra Zaheer Asma Jahangir is a leading Pakistani lawyer who defends mainly the women, children and religious minorities of Pakistan who are framed for crimes they did not commit. Her work primarily includes dealing with young wives with abusive husbands and children accused of blasphemy. I first heard of her from my aunt, who had spent some time working for her in Lahore in the Burnt Women Department. The stories and cases my aunt informed me of were heartbreakingly fascinating, mostly rape and domestic abuse cases, where Jahangir provided justice to those who deserved it. I find her intelligence and audacity astonishing in a country where there is no real system of law and order. Jahangir formed the first law firm established by women in the country and also set up … Read entire article »
Filed under: lawyers movement, liberal Pakistan
Of crooks, cranks and madmen
Yasser Latif Hamdani writing in the Daily Times: Pakistan treats murder as an optional tort in the name of religion. It is nothing but a distortion of Islamic principles in my view. In the modern concept of citizenship, the state becomes an heir of last resort as well. For reference, consider the doctrine of escheat as it applies to property, a principle that is recognised by the ‘Islamic’ Constitution of Pakistan under Article 172. Ownerless property becomes the property of the state. So what happens when the heirs to the victim of a murder forgive the murderer? Logically, the state should still imprison him or her as tazeer punishment. In Pakistan, though, the Islamic principle of forgiveness and mercy is used in a most opportunistic fashion. Raymond Davis, for me, is not … Read entire article »
Filed under: Blogging, lawyers movement
Asma Jahangir's victory is a cause for celebration
Raza Rumi Asma Jahangir’s victory in the Supreme Court Bar Association elections is a major development in the legal and judicial history of Pakistan. She is the first woman to hold this office, and a progressive rights activist as well. Her struggles against injustice, discrimination and oppression have spanned over nearly forty years and are globally acclaimed. PTH wishes her all success and hopes that she is able to fulfil the mandate for which she has … Read entire article »
Filed under: Activism, Judiciary, Justice, Lahore, Law, lawyers movement, Liberal Democratic Pakistan, movements, Pakistan, Rights
Supreme Court short order out …
By Yasser Latif Hamdani … And thank god that they have not dabbled in that horrible theory of the basic structure which would have meant closing the door on any future prospect of democratic reform in Pakistan (in my personal view). I think this is an important middle ground which has atleast restored some of the faith I had lost in our judiciary to do the right thing. Now it is upto the democratic government to meet the judiciary half way. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Constitution, Democracy, Judiciary, Justice, Law, lawyers movement, Liberal Democratic Pakistan, Pakistan
Musharraf’s Core Constituency and His Prospects
By Raza Habib Raja I remember watching his last speech in a crowded room and also the huge roar when he announced his resignation. Just two years have passed and it’s amazing the way the fortunes have turned (or have they?). If election were held on facebook, Mr Musharraf’s only tough competition would come from Imran Khan!!. The “enlightened moderates” are up in arms and ready to wage a struggle (unfortunately or shall I say fortunately on facebook only) to bring their leader back. How do you explain Mr Muharraf and his sophisticated and yet confused core constituency? The constituency comprises of the segment of upwardly mobile urban middleclass, with which he has experienced such a love hate relationship. It was elated when he deposed Nawaz Sharif and was swearing against him … Read entire article »
Filed under: Democracy, lawyers movement
Pakistan: Clear and present danger
Raza Rumi If the parliament and judiciary want to continue exercising their newfound powers, they have no option but to act strictly within the framework of the Pakistani Constitution Pakistan is a surreal country. Only here we have long, protracted struggles for democracy and only here we are almost always ready to scuttle democracy. Perhaps Iskander Mirza was not all too wrong while making the assessment that democracy does not suit the genius of our people. An added qualification is that it does not suit the genius of the elites, … Read entire article »
Filed under: Constitution, human rights, Judiciary, Justice, Law, lawyers movement, Media, minorities, Pakistan, Politics, public policy, Rights, secular Pakistan, Society, state
PTH Exclusive: Interview with J. Jawwad Khawaja
Posted by Raza Rumi We are grateful to Babar Mirza who has translated an interview given by Justice Jawwad S. Khawaja to Sohail Waraich in June 2007 which is recorded in Waraich’s book ‘Adlia ke Arooj-o-Zawaal ki Kahani’. The interview is a must read for all those who are interested in Pakistan’s politics and institutions. A biographical note is also available for those who wish to know more about the life and times of J. Khawaja. The latter resigned when J. Iftikhar Chauhdry was illegally deposed by the Musharraf regime. Later, he was part of the lawyers and judges movement and he was re-inducted into the Supreme Court after J. Chauhdry was restored as the Chief Justice in 2009. The interview also explains why Justice Khawaja took oath unde the 2000 PCO during the Musharraf regime. Just as in any other … Read entire article »
Filed under: Activism, Judiciary, Justice, Law, lawyers movement, movements, Pakistan
Pakistan’s Supreme Court versus the democratic government
– by Abdul Nishapuri In a (not so) surprise move, top judicial bureaucrats sitting in Pakistan’s Supreme Court and Lahore High Court have declared war against a fragile democracy in Pakistan. The (right-wing) establishment has taken its dagger out for a final attack on the democratic government of the (left-wing) Pakistan People’s Party. In a decision announced in the after hours on Saturday, the Supreme Court of Pakistan suspended the appointment of two judges by … Read entire article »
Filed under: Democracy, lawyers movement, Pakistan, Politics
Former corps commander, 2 ISI officials booked
Daily Times 04 Feb 2010 Case registered in line with orders of Supreme Court over disappearance of Quetta resident Ali Asghar Bangalzai By Malik Siraj Akbar QUETTA: Police in the provincial capital registered a case on Wednesday against former corps commander Gen (r) Abdul Qadir Baloch and two senior ISI officials, in line with orders of a Supreme Court bench hearing a case related to the disappearance of a resident of the city, Ali Asghar Bangalzai. The family of Bangalzai, a tailor master, registered the first information report (FIR) with the Sariab Police Station against the former corps commander, former ISI Quetta chief Brig Siddique and another senior ISI official identified only as Col Bangash. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Army, baluchistan, Democracy, Justice, Law, lawyers movement, Pakistan, state
Flaws in the judgment
By Asma Jahangir Dawn, 26 Jan, 2010 The Supreme Court (SC) has spoken and the nation must bow its head. The chief justice has asked members of the bar to pray for the judiciary. This too must be respected, as the Almighty alone can rescue those who wish to destroy themselves. There is open friction between the ruling party and the court. By not restoring the SC judges earlier and letting Justice Dogar run amok with the law, the government lost face. … Read entire article »
Filed under: baluchistan, Democracy, Justice, Law, lawyers movement, Pakistan, state
Going the Wrong Way about Doing the Right Thing
By B. Civilian The full bench of the Supreme Court (SC) of Pakistan unanimously declared the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) null and void, ab initio. In view of the unpopularity of the Ordinance, the PPP government had virtually disowned it over the last few weeks. The Federation decided not to defend it in the court, again, regardless of one of its lawyers insinuating that there was a threat to ‘rule of law’ from “CIA and the GHQ” (statements which the lawyer later withdrew as his own rather than his client’s view). Pakistan is in the process of transitioning from being a military dictatorship to becoming a democracy. It’s a difficult transition for any country, let alone for one which has attempted such a transition at least twice before, without much success. But … Read entire article »
Filed under: Benazir Bhutto, Democracy, Justice, Law, lawyers movement, Pakistan, Parliament, Politics, state, Zardari
Another aspect of the judgment
By Asma Jahangir Dawn 19 Dec, 2009 The NRO case, Dr Mubashar Hasan and others versus the federation, has once again stirred a hornet’s nest. There is thunderous applause for bringing the accused plunderers and criminals to justice and widespread speculation on the resignation of the president. Very little analysis is being done on the overall effect of the judgment itself. While, the NRO can never be defended even on the plea of keeping the system intact, the Supreme Court judgment has wider political implications. It may not, in the long run, uproot corruption from Pakistan but will make the apex court highly controversial. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Democracy, Justice, Law, lawyers movement, Pakistan, Parliament, state
PTH biweekly Cartoon
Picture of the Week
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Sunrise at the Arabian Sea, Charna Island
24 Dec 2011
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Comment on the current judicial crisis
February 15th, 2010 | 16 Comments
by Justice (retd) Fakhruddin G. Ebrahim We are again faced with a judicial crisis – not a bonafide crisis but a crisis created for ulterior reasons. Ostensibly the crisis is the elevation of chief justice for the Lahore High Court in the Supreme Court of Pakistan, the elevation of the next senior most judge Justice Saquib Nasir, as acting Chief Justice of Lahroe High Court (a la Zia ul Haq style). Being of the view that more harm is done by ignoring seniority, which opens the door for exercise of discretion in principle, I am against seniority being ignored, particularly in judiciary. My first reaction, therefore, was that the appointment of Chief Justice Lahore High Court to the Supreme Court and elevation of … Read entire article »
Filed under: Justice, Law, lawyers movement, Pakistan, Politics