Pakistan

Media watch: Asma Jahangir's victory

Media talks about Asma Jahangir's victory and its implications for the future of SCBA.

October 29, 2010

Media watch is a daily round-up of key articles featured on news websites, hand-picked by The Express Tribune web staff.

SCBA election

That the premier bar association of Pakistan, a country founded by one of the finest lawyers of his generation, will now be presided over by a woman and a figure of Ms Jahangir’s stature ought to gladden the hearts of many who feared that the principles this country was founded on had been lost forever. (dawn.com)

Challenges ahead

Over the past two years the SCBA stood with the judiciary on matters concerning rule of law. Asma – who in her victory speech announced that “the bar will neither speak the language of judges nor politicians but will follow the law” – has, as a human rights activist, often spoken of standing for judicial independence. She may need to prove this commitment in the times ahead. (thenews.com.pk)

A historic win

After her victory, Ms Jahangir asserted that she would not take dictation from anyone, be it the government or the judges. It is hoped that with Ms Jahangir’s victory, the bar would re-establish its independence and keep an appropriate distance from the bench. (dailytimes.com.pk)

Asma Jehangir's election

No one should doubt her integrity as a fiercely independent person who would never compromise on her commitment to obtain pristine conditions for the rule of law in the country. May be some would take her pledge to end the so-called conflict between the institutions as her tilt against the superior judiciary. (brecorder.com)

COMMENTS (6)

basharat | 13 years ago | Reply The Supreme Court Bar Association is expected to strive for rule of law and the Constitution, but the out going President , had been more with the Chief Justice then that of the Constitution and law . There was a perception about former President Supreme Court Bar Association , that his conduct towards the judiciary , especially , the Chief Justice was of abject servility . Supreme Court Bar Association , in addition to look after working conditions and welfare of its members , is also responsible , for the unity of the bar, and to keep keep it above party affiliations . Her struggle , spread over four decades is sufficient to prove that she has guts to stand for the constitution and rule of law with utmost courage which she had demonstrated in very odd situations . Asma , at very young age, challenged military rule of General Yahya Khan in famous case titled Asma Jilani versus Federation of Pakistan , which made her famous through out the country . The case is still recognized as a land mark , in the legal history of Pakistan . She through her valiant struggle for the cause of human rights earned great honour for herself and Pakistan in international community and different forums of United Nations. As President , Supreme Court Bar Association, she will prove her a most successful President.

suraiya kasim | 13 years ago | Reply Delighted at Asma Jahangir’s victory! She deserved it and the Pakistani judiciary deserves it. Wish i was there to congratulate her personally. May Allah guide her and protect her.

VIEW MORE COMMENTS

suraiya kasim | 13 years ago | Reply Delighted at Asma Jahangir's victory! She deserved it and the Pakistani judiciary deserves it. Wish i was there to congratulate her personally. May Allah guide her and protect her.

Sultan Ahmed. | 13 years ago | Reply Lit new candles in way, I need more brightness I can't see the way due to darkness. I am hearing different voices coming out from the darkness but failed to understand what kind of message they want to convey, who would see them, who would hear, perhaps this new one no,never,forever .

Gangly Khan | 13 years ago | Reply It is really great victory of Asma. She is famous as human rights activist. On her success in bar election, she announced that she would fight for rule of law and democracy. She is courageous and brave lady and no one has doubt about it. She is now president of SC bar association and this association comprises senior lawyers. These lawyers in the past did nothing tangible to improve state of justice in our country. They rather developed close contacts with sitting judges and promoted corruption. They are divided - some with judges and some with government. They have no interest in rule of law or justice. They work exclusively for their own interests. Similarly judges now days are strongly affiliated with political parties and their judgments are biased. At present they have only one issue on their agenda and that is constitution. Does any amendment or any interpretation of constitution will have direct positive impact on the poor and resolve problems like price hike, rampant corruption in government departments including judiciary itself, corrupt practices and professional misconduct of lawyers, rehabilitation of flood hit population, deteriorating law and order situation, missing persons, accountability, speedy and transparent justice and other issues relating to welfare of the poor class of people. I am afraid Asthma’s effort will not succeed in improving performance of judiciary and removing incompetence of judges and dispensation of speedy justice as some her admirers expect. Judiciary has earned second position after Custom department in corruption. May God instill fear of God in the hearts of judges and lawyers to give transparent and speedy justice to poor people of the country?

Think Therefore | 13 years ago | Reply Lets hope that this country which was created by one of the finest lawyers of "his" times is not derailed by one of the finest lawyers of "her" time...

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