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| Taste of victory: Lawyers shared sweets Saturday in Karachi to celebrate the reinstatement of Pakistan's Supreme Court Chief Justice, Iftikhar
Chaudhry. Zahid Hussein/Reuters |
Is democracy 'reborn' in Pakistan?
The decision on Friday to reinstate Pakistan's Supreme Court Chief Justice is a victory for democracy, but the euphoria around the decision may be premature.
from the July 23, 2007 edition
Page 3 of 3
Pakistanis await "historic decision"
Most Pakistanis were prepared for a celebration on Friday. In the days leading up to the verdict, Acting Chief Justice Khalil ur Rahman Ramday had hinted at a "historic decision," which many interpreted as a decision in favor of the chief justice. Still, some were worried that the Supreme Court would once again, as it has been known to do for decades, strike a deal with the executive and dilute its decision.
"Till this eve of the judgment the government was quite confident they would get a decision they could live with," says Najam Sethi, a journalist and commentator. Musharraf, he says, will have to do some serious thinking now that his government is faced with an unprecedented challenge from the judiciary. "I can't imagine he's a very happy man right now."
Most agree that the Supreme Court's decision on Friday is a historic first step toward a return to democracy.
"No institution of democracy can become independent without a struggle, and this is the first step in the struggle of the judiciary," says Mr. Sethi. "And though the pressure on the courts will continue, I expect it will find its equilibrium sooner rather than later."
In the meantime, even an apparently impartial, if not sympathetic, state institution is good enough for pro-democracy activists.
"There is a difference between the chief justice and the lawyer's movement," explains Jahangir. "The chief justice has been reinstated and that is done. But the lawyers' movement will continue, because the reason behind it remains: a dictatorial military regime that rules this country."
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