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Cheating on wives
Freedom of our judges to haul anyone for contempt is far more sacrosanct than liberty of lowly citizens of PATA, Fata.
The writer is a former president of the Supreme Court Bar Association
It was the first good news of the year — Imran Khan never cheated on his wife. The shocking disclosure was that the others did! Politicians need to grow up and give some credence to their viewers. Multiple marriages or extramarital affairs of politicians have, unfortunately, never hurt the sentiments of our people. On the contrary, in some cases, it has won them admirers. More disturbingly, the wives take it all and there appears to be no dearth of women prepared to be additional wives to those in power. Infidelity to wives has a painful history in Pakistan but it has also had indirect advantages. A former prime minister’s first wife died penniless in a destitute home. His second in wedlock was celebrated as a pioneer for women’s rights. Another stalwart of the Pakistan movement ditched his first wife to marry her sister. A former PM had a childhood wife, a social wife and a closet wife but this made no difference to his popularity. Many a Sher-e-Punjab has been through several wedlocks and their exploits only added to their charisma. A number of political Khans, Sardars and Sains maintain several households and baithaks but remain sagacious under the law. Nevertheless, there is a silver lining amongst all such stories of female woes. A prime minister took an additional wife, in the presence of his first APWA going wife. This raised alarm bells in APWA and all wives first, second or third, were outraged and felt vulnerable. For the sake of domestic peace, the first Women’s Commission was constituted. Resultantly, the Family Laws Ordinance was promulgated, which otherwise may never have become law for decades to come. Hence, cheating on wives has produced collateral advantages too. However, Khan sahib rightly points out that his personal life as a bachelor is kosher as long as he remained loyal in wedlock. He, therefore, stands on a higher pedestal over those who have uneventful pre-marital youth but show their true colours subsequently. The moral of the story is that the chances of disloyalty in wedlock are greater if the groom is young and green, rather than if he has sown his wild seeds and has had enough of it.
The low level of mudslinging by politicians only convinces people that none is worthy of being elected and therefore they will be reduced to selecting the worse among the worst. Seasoned politicians never stoop so low. Rather than blowing their own trumpets and beating the war drums for others, politicians should address issues and present solutions to the economic and political mess the country is challenged with. The bankruptcy of vision is strikingly apparent. Perhaps, it is now high time for our politicians to evolve a common code of behaviour towards each other, especially while addressing each other in public. This restraint may affect the ratings of some anchorpersons but will bring sobriety to politics. In any event, corruption has been ruthlessly politicised. Powerful individuals, even when caught red-handed will call it a conspiracy against them, while others go scot-free. Only the foolish get caught and pay for it too. The defence to charges of corruption is often responded to by counter allegations and very few have been brought to justice or punished, despite the fact that corruption in Pakistan is endemic and nepotism a contagious disease. The moral of the story is that everyone be given an equal opportunity to their right to corruption. If trapped, act indignant, play martyr and plead unequal treatment. Or better still; paint it as an ugly conspiracy against democracy, the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary. Make certain that all your beneficiaries stand by you and shout foul. Those who have blind faith in the impartiality of the courts may also resort to public interest litigation in an attempt to secure a certificate of innocence in their favour.
The next good news is that the 2012 law on contempt of court has been declared void ab initio. In its place, the 2003 Ordinance has been restored. It was a victory for the legal fraternity, who were falling over each other to find a space in the long list of petitioners. The success was later celebrated in the Multan Bar Association. The 2012 law was indefensible but the manner in which the legal battle was fought around the bar associations was highly distasteful. They were the petitioners, the agitators and the commentators in all evening TV shows. Would that not amount to trying to influence the administration of justice? What was all the fuss and strikes about? A law was challenged and the courts have the power to strike it down. It would have happened. Yet, unnecessary hype was created as though its existence for a single day would destroy the edifice of justice. No time was wasted and the jurisdiction of the High Courts under Article 199 assumed by the Supreme Court. A short order was passed, not only striking down the entire law, but also curtailing the powers of the legislature. The 2012 contempt law was a bad law but not half as appalling as the new laws applicable to PATA and Fata where prisoners can be kept in custody for countless days and the evidence of security personnel is considered conclusive for conviction. The moral of the story is that the freedom of our judges to haul anyone for contempt is far more sacrosanct than the liberty of lowly citizens of PATA and Fata.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 10th, 2012.
Reader Comments (69)
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Btw, there isnt a court in the world that would stand for a “law” that allowed the mighty to flout its orders at will. Makes me wonder about the caliber of the SCBA, if this is the judgment of its president.Recommend
Madam, you are one of the few patriotic Pakistanis who dares to speak up and show the nation a mirror. stay safe for no good deed goes unpunished in Pakistan. Yuo wil surely be declared a RAW/CIA/Mossad agent – if you hvae not already been.
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Fantastic article from a very outstanding lady of Pakistan. We are very honored & proud of you to be called as a Pakistani. You are truly a soft face of Pakistan.
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and the personal lives of several PMs she has mentioned in this oped is okay?
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We have a deviated and hypocritical nation and our leaders are our perfect examples. My all Religious and Tableeghi friends since my childhood have pre marital relationships and they were all corrupt weather morally or financially and now since they are married and they dumped these Promiscious girls ( According to them) so they are Angels and are just waiting for Virgins in the hereafter. Same is the case with Imran Khan followers and also with Other Right wingers like PMLN. I was arguing with one fan of PTI and even he went on to say that since Sita White became a Muslim so that child out of Sita becomes legitimate because Imran Khan had a coitus with her to make her Muslim. Same is the case with PMLN. Many of the PMLN politicians are found around Gujranwala and in Lahore on their Dairas hosting parties where Murree Brewery and King Fisher is a must and also without some Halal Belly Dances and Munjras no party could be completed. Anyway I am very very happy that Our Leaders are our Perfect Reflections and let us see how long will this nation will remain on the map with such Attitude.
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I hope IK’s answer will now make PML_N realize that if they continue to go down this dirty technique of theirs of attacking others personal lives then their personal lives will also be brought into media…
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The moral of the story is that Asma Jehangir has written a good piece. :)
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Asma Jahingir
Your concern for the lowly citizens if Fata is duly noted and appreciated. Would you like to take this opportunity to condemn the illegal and murderous American Drone campaign against them?
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I can’t gather respect for a court who let’s the mighty politicians get away freely for breaking the laws. It’s a pathetic development.
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You are a women of substance…In Pakistan i have only hope from women like you…men have failed…!
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Mudslinging aside, debauchery is a way of Islamic life. It’s nothing new.
From the time of the Mughals and Sulatans, to the current rulers of Islamic world, all have been debauchees.
Mughals quite literally had harems in their palaces where they had concubines You will find it in Lal Qila also. But of course they would also build grand mosques, right opposites to these houses so, no matter on whose sides they woke up, they get to pray to atone for their sins.
Also, the month of Ramazan would rid them of all the sins they committed that entire year – 1 month.
lecherous lifestyle and treacherous murders are a fashion in the Muslim world.Recommend
Asma Jahanghir should be the next chief justice of Pakistan.
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we try to compete india in every field if india detonates a bomb we swear DAT we will eat grass but will produce a bomb and then we do it but why we couldn’t we compete them in democracy is it due to our faulty and unclear vision since independence or we still not clear about our identity where dictator like zia toed us to Arabs where in reality we belong to the subcontinent where our future lies.
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By the way there are many wives who are cheating on their husbands (some of whom may be politicians), but this dirty laundry is almost never aired.
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As usual always indulge Army in every matter by the Anti Army women not even written a line for their great sacrifices for the nation.
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I appreciate you new found alleged concern for the people of FATA and their Libery. How are AAZ rozas going??? Should Justice be applicable to everyone or Not? Disgusting old twat..
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Madam, Thank you for writing on this very important subject and exposing the Shers of Punjab and Pakistan and their rights and lefts. But we also need to keep in mind that it came in Daaj/jehaiz (dowry) from Rub-ul-khalli where it was a common practice before and after the advent of Islam. When I say that Islam kept alive the tribal ethos rather legitimized those through religious injunctions, some get upset. Desert tribes had strange cultural traditions including child marriages with older persons. I, honestly, do not know what to make of it? All I know that I cannot be proud of it.
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It is rather naive of Ms Jahangir to expect the present lot or the upcoming one to grow up and clean up their act just because she urges so!
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sigh a cold breath …her English is not too hard to understand , thanks for writing it simple :P
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@entropy:
Why is FATA the only issue of importance for you where drone strikes have killed several terrorists? Are you by condemning drones trying to indirectly support and protect the terrorists?
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What esle she could have said? She is undisputed lady of lethal courage who smashes the demi-gods of our society. The new leader of demi-god should listen, his decisions are not welcomed by saner elements. IK and CJ Chaudhary are hypocrites.
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@ustaad:
That’s exactly her point; if politicians are going to get into mudslinging then no one wins as all have skeletons in their closets.
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@Alucard: Then all men would be in jail for raping their wives
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“Another stalwart of the Pakistan movement ditched his first wife to marry her sister.” If I am not mistaken it is in reference to some one who comes from the same profession as yours, He did marry his wife’s younger sister but after his 1st wife was brutally murdered. He married the younger sister after a few years. Correct me if I am wrong, as you are the expert here.
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A very poor profile of the Pak society.
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Standing ovation for Asma Jehangir! Truly remarkable person, a shinning example for the weak minded leaders of this country may they be in military service, politics or judiciary.
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@entropy:
Actually Asma Jehangir has condemned drone attacks at a number of forums. Stating categorically that collateral damage even of one innocent is not acceptable. She however does not accept the hue and cry being raised in Pakistan on the count that the nation’s honour is at stake.
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Brilliant Asma!
We should seriously consider making her the caretaker Prime Minister
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Asma has become part of the corrupt elite. Instead of encouraging and cheering the SC for taking-on drug-lords and embezzlers, she leaves no stones unturned to rally on their behalf. Here too, instead of taking-on abusers and cheaters who violate the sacred vows of their marriage, she humors the women caught-up in it.
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Asma, has sadly chosen to stand with the immoral, corrupt, indecent and unholy PPP and all their filthy hypocrisy and deception seems to have grown on her.
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She didn’t miss the opportunity to malign the SC, the only institution that is standing between PPP and wholesale destruction and impending (naouzubillah) dismemberment of Pakistan.
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Shame on this indian agent of perversion.
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Very well written.. People like you can bring the change in Pakistan @ asma jehangir
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Of the entire press conference of 40 mins or so the lady author picked one sentence which was said at the very end as a warning to PML(N) to avoid the mudslinging they indulged during the 1997 election campaign. To blow this issue out of proportion and even to give such a title to the article depicts the inner mentality and mindset of the author towards IK and PTI. Kindly spare us with your such thoughts!!
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@mr. righty rightist:
I am sorry debauchery by the Mughals has nothing to do with their being muslims in name, for they were kings and conquerors who lived like other kings in Europe. May I remind you Sir of the lifestyle of King Henry VIII—it would be unfair to blame christianity for it.
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It was very unfortunate of this country, the sovereignty of the Parliament is not being recognized by not less than Chief Justice, supreme Court of Pakistan Chaudhry Iftikhar himself whereas judiciary has not power to violate the constitution in any case.
In 1954, chief Justice Munir had discovered theory “Law of necessity” and we are still suffering due to it and would continue in future also
It is also unfortunate of this country, a group of people who has hatred against PPP govt are bent upon to sabotage the sovereignty of the Parliament without knowing what bad affects this will have on the future of the country. Parliament is sovereign every where and those who are not accepting this in Pakistan, they are playing with fire.Recommend
Sex is something very natural. Being a Liberal, how can she discourage something which is very very natural? Imran Khan is an honest person who doesn’t involve in Financial corruption and has the capacity to deliver, this is all i need as a citizen.Now, whatever he is doing in his personal life and whatever the number of girls he is sleeping with is simply not my concern because that doesn’t makes any difference to me. So, I really don’t understand this hypocrisy of so called Liberals that they are ready to go to any extent against IK, be it compromises their own ideology .I wouldn’t even mind this Lady’s husband getting himself involved in any infidelity because of the Lady’s Mullah-type rigid stance on this particular issue.That will fix this Moral brigade Aunty.
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@Alucard: It is the best comment I have read in recent times.
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being a resident of FATA i would call this a brave women who is telling truth. May God be with you and be safe always say truth as we tribes men cant we are held hostages in two powerful hands. salute you for this courage. Pakhtoons love you all
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@Malik T who writes “I am sorry debauchery by the Mughals has nothing to do with their being muslims in name, for they were kings and conquerors who lived like other kings in Europe. May I remind you Sir of the lifestyle of King Henry VIII—it would be unfair to blame christianity for it.”
I had a couple of extra lines in my comment. ET removed it. It has reference to the time or great Prophet’s time and the prophet himself.
That wud have given u the connection to Islam.
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@Mirza: Mirzaji, you do realize Asma Jahangir was being sarcastic don’t you? She was the erstwhile president of Supreme court Bard Association and has always spoken her mind and called the truth as she sees it.
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I think Asma Jehangir has become a political partisan for the man with the Swiss Bank accounts. She thinks it is not even worth addressing the 3 year old process where every order of the Supreme Court is being flouted. Her shrill defence of the treasonous Haqqani took the cake. I suggest the media should start ignoring her rather than encouraging every weird performance.
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Very amusing package on relations!
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I wonder when i see people like etazaz ahsan and asma jehangir to speak like this. Completely out of context and without measuring the implications of discussed matters on the future of millions of Pakistani. In straight words they meant:
“Leave looters, corrupts and non-representative decision maker elites of Pakistan at their will to play with the fate of people of this country, the way they want”.
Abusive in intellectual grounds.
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Here is AJ at IK is it something from the past or utter love..hate..love cant get over syndrome
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Could not stop laughing….”The moral of the story is that the chances of disloyalty in wedlock are greater if the groom is young and green, rather than if he has sown his wild seeds and has had enough of it.”strong text
Full bouncer to IK
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A sociopolitical-feminine piece with legal salt. Some did not like its taste due to its judiciary related content. Most of us in Pakistan know or must know that superior judiciary’s decisions if they are against civil military bureaucrats find their place in the dust bin. Leave alone implementation our super and powerful officers do not even read the decisions. Judges know it but they are themselves and extension bureaucracy
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relative courage…if she gave example of marriages of his beloved client Hussain haqqani then it would be courageous or if she gave example of second marriage of a reporter with a 3rd generation women activist it will be courageous. she knew the stories but she as usual avoided it and this paper may also avoids
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Does Asma Jahangir has no better topic to write. What is the purpose of this article? Is she a lawyer or sociologist?Recommend
My father is Pakistani and mother is English. My father married my mother then left her, I guess to marry a cousin from the home land. She well through hell as a single mother supporting us while we were growing up and I really felt for her. I have little respect for my father for what he put us through. I can see reading this article where the got his low life values.Recommend
@Truth Detector: Truth hurts. Does it not?
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substance aside, its one of the most pathetically written articles i have ever read in life. Recommend
@Anglo-Pak
Sorry to hear about your life experience. Pakistan is a big country of many cultures. Not all Pakistanis are like this. I am a Sindhi and I would not let my daughter marry any boy from these communities. Recommend
@gp65:
My comments are not included so the above comments were not from me. I am getting sick and tired of my comments being totally rejected some days. As is one of those ladies who are a shining example of what Pakistan could be. People like Asma make me feel proud to be a Pakistani. One only wishes there were more people like her who never compromise on principles.
A great Op Ed and hats off to Asma J for her courage and poise against all odds. Thank you very much!
Regards,
Mirza
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Looks like anybody who throws in some good English bears a tendency to receive praises by the readers.
What Pakistanis have come to!
I think the ‘madam’ should stop defending the government and start speaking up for justice.
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“A number of political Khans, Sardars and Sains maintain several households and baithaks but remain sagacious under the law”
Ah.. but Ms.Jhahangir omitted historic “conquests” of our men in Uniform; from Ayub Khan to the “commando” general and many a precious acquisitions of our bureaucrats!
It is slight to their “manhood.”
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Kudos Asma Jehangir ! Fantabulous piece of writing,
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Asma Jehangir had no issue dressed in safron colored dress to call upon Bal Thakeray in Bombay. Debauchery is a personal vice, not linked to religion, faith or race. Even the Mughal’s debauchery would fade when compared to what went on in France when it was ruled by kings and emperors. The cortesans in the French court were known for their sexual promiscuity. What about the personal lives of the British monarcy, past and present both. Nehru was having a fling with Earl Mounbatten’s wife and the whole world knew about it. The only religion where idols of their gods are depicted in sexual acts is the Hindu religion. Perhaps Asma Jehangir needs to read Kama Sutra and so must Mr Right Rightist and my friend Anglo.
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Although Madam Jehangir is a woman of substance who has many credits to her name and always calls a spade a spade, I still have not been able to get over her defense of Hussain Haqqani. That said, I hope Madam Jehangir continues to raise her voice for the weak, even if she must excuse herself from time to time to side with the powerful.Recommend
@entropy:
She was being sarcastic there. Perhaps you should have duly noted that.
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I don’t know about Asma and her heading the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan which was supported/shielded by foreign Governments.
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It is sad that a number of comments above did not understand the article. Asma Jehangir presents a number of facts: she makes sure that the touchstone is one that is used by teh same people and reveals the hypocrisy and irony of it. She does not say that she considers it right or wrong but the fact that it would do good to all, to see their own gireban before accusing others: she moves on further to say that it would be best to leave out the personal life out of it.
PTI folks have a thing for making IK a saint: news for them is that the parameters of Islam they profess do not exactly allow such unilateral declaration of repentance except for a non muslim converting to Islam.
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@Adnan Khan:
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“Shame on this indian agent of perversion.”
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What a deep insight. You should have been around when Hameed Gul needed a righthand man. Alhamdo lillah, people like you are a great mercy on ummat e islaamiah
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Should have named names for full impact.
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“The moral of the story is that the chances of disloyalty in wedlock are greater if the groom is young and green, rather than if he has sown his wild seeds and has had enough of it.” lolz…now knw whom to marry….
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Asma your article does not fit in Islamic republic of Pakistan. As a Muslim you also know that a man can marry 4 wives, you have any problem with this ? As county is moving towards extremism a man can have any amount of slave girls and allowed to sleep with them. under Islamic law a women cannot refuse sex to the husband on pretext of a headache.
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@Ijaz Mir:
Great o great. I am duly impressed.
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@Alucard:
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“Asma Jahanghir should be the next chief justice of Pakistan.”
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Soon the musical chairs would start. The guessing game has already started, as who would become what. The competitors in the arena are:
Aitezaz Ahsan
Asma Jahangir
Iftikhar Chowdhry
Imran Khan (Dark horse or Joker?)
Mian Saab
They will all be aiming at top jobs like, becoming President, PM, Chief Justice etc.
Some one from the rest of the three provinces can be given a ceremonial post, a person who does not start getting ideas. Past experience shows it well.
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Truly a woman of substance. Outstandingly clear and bold; Rare commodity in Pakistan.
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Nice write up. I don’t like it when you put IK in the same frame as others (but its your opinion), simply because of his records (which I believe is impeccable except for his private life which has nothing to do with public service), and also because he never claims to be an angel, and his mudslinging was a calculated move to warn repetition of opposition moves like in the late 90s. However I still agree, that to show difference from the lot, Khan sahib should have refrained from making even that small statement. So all in all agreed.
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Over a year has passed since the draconian Action (in aid of civil power) regulation 2011 for FATA and PATA were promulgated by President Asif Ali Zardari. The regulation was challenged before the Supreme Court but it has yet to be heard. The haste in which the court heard the petitions related to Contempt of Court Act has raised many eye brows. I am at a loss why the citi9zens of FATA and PATA are considered inferior to that of rest of the country. why this draconian regulation has so far not been heard by the court. Just because these regulations are assigned massive unbridled powers to the security forces and intelligence agencies, therefore, these regulations are sacrosanct.
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A lady of great integrity. A great ambassador of Pakistan.
Regards.
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