National   

“Lawyers’ movement behind Iftikhar’s reinstatement”

Special Correspondent

MUMBAI: The historic reinstatement of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Pakistan last week was due to one of the most amazing movements in the country, according to lawyer and human rights activist Asma Jehangir. “It was like waiting for a drop of rain. Once it started, everyone came out and contributed to the struggle,” said Ms. Jahangir.

Ms. Jahangir, who is also the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion and Belief, and Nasir Aslam Zahid, retired judge of the Pakistan Supreme Court, were speaking at a meeting on Monday on “Crisis of Civil Society in Pakistan,” organised by the Mumbai Press Club.

Even if General Musharraf declared emergency to extend the National Assembly’s term by one year, the lawyers’ movement could challenge this in court, she said.

“I used to pride myself that I could predict what’s going to happen in Pakistan. I thought the lawyers’ movement will fizzle out and even on the day of the judgment, I was cynical,” she said.

“There is no holding back now … Though General Musharraf is a desperate man and he can resort to anything, it was clear that people would not sit back and take it any more.” She, however, feared intimidation of lawyers by the Government.

The support for the lawyers was unbelievable, she pointed out. What came to the fore was that Pakistani society had a vibrant side to it, despite the repression and uncertainty. “That’s a side which is not so well portrayed here,” she remarked.

“It has a strong civil society where people despite repression speak up and dance.” She said that after the Supreme Court verdict was announced, lawyers — both men and women — danced on the street. She said the occasion must be celebrated across the border.

Both she and Mr. Zahid called on Pakistan’s political leaders in exile to come back. The lawyers’ struggle would continue until civilian rule was restored but political parties also had to clear their own way. It’s time the politicians learnt a lesson from the lawyers’ movement.

Ms. Jehangir said people realised the movement was based on principles and not for personal gain. “The issues we were fighting for was rule of law and a system of democracy. That message went across like a flash.”

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Government begins selling nuclear deal
Kalam an icon of younger generation: Somnath
More body parts of babies discovered
Decision later on EPF rate for 2007-08
Pratibha to take oath tomorrow
Czech hikers rescued
Margadarsi to give details of payments
6 STF men, informer killed in U.P.
West Bengal may stop grants to schools accepting donations
“Government must follow rules”
Dharavi protesters shave their heads
Court: cancel passport, free Monica on bail
Kohli files review petition
“Lawyers’ movement behind Iftikhar’s reinstatement”

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu