If the government finally succeeds in establishing a Constitutional Court with Qazi Faez Isa as its first Chief Justice at the sole discretion of PM Shehbaz Sharif, then simply imagine what would happen to the current Supreme Court of Pakistan? And imagine the unenviable position of its next Chief Justice, Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, who is due to take over the reins in probably less than a month from now.
To make this darkest hour in our judicial history a bit palatable, I am reminded of a beautiful verse by Faiz: Hum sai kehtain hain chaman walay ghariban-e chaman; Tum koi accha sa rakh lo apnay wiranay ka naam.
Some of the highly qualified and enlightened judges, who have the finest judicial brain, including Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, would prefer to call it a day rather than sit on the sidelines for a paltry sum of rupees fifteen lakhs or so.
The judicial structure of the country is bound to collapse disastrously. Soon the advocates and litigants would realise the enormous setback suffered by them by not raising their stiff opposition to a devious move in the name and need for a Constitutional Court. This Court has one purpose and objective, and that is to decimate PTI from the political landscape. This is rather taking a path to suicide bombing and destroying the foundations of our beloved homeland.
Soon this Constitutional Court will come to bite and haunt the coalition government when they are on the other side of the fence — in opposition.
The saner politicians and people see this move as a destruction of the very fabric of Pakistan’s judiciary. The government’s actions reek of desperation, attempting to cling to power by undermining the institutions that are meant to hold them accountable.
As this crisis unfolds, one cannot help but wonder if the government has considered the long-term consequences of their actions. Will they be able to contain the fallout when the Constitutional Court begins to target their own allies and supporters? History has shown time and again that such power grabs ultimately lead to the downfall of those who engineer them.
The Pakistani people must recognise the gravity of this threat and demand better from their leaders. The judiciary’s independence is the last bastion of hope for a nation weary of corruption and misrule. If this too falls, what remains of Pakistan’s democratic facade?
Pakistan needs voices of reason to stand up against this brazen assault on its judiciary, to ensure that the rule of law prevails, and that justice is served equally and impartially to all citizens. To add some flavour to the bitterness, let’s finish on a sublime verse by Ghalib: Rag o pai mai jab utrai zehr-e gham tab daikhye kya ho; Abhi to talkhiyai kam o dahan ki aazmaish hai.
Haroon Rashid Siddiqi
Canada
