I would like to share a very interesting letter I just received on email, written by Supreme Court Advocate Naeem Bohkari addressed to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Mr. Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry. It is a definite ‘must read’ for all Pakistanis
Start quote
Mr. Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry
Chief Justice
Supreme Court of Pakistan
Islamabad
Pakistan
My Lord:
I write this letter as an Officer of the Supreme Court of Pakistan; as an Advocate enrolled in the apex Court since 1984 and in the High Courts since 1972; as an Attorney who has paid more income tax from his earnings in the legal profession than many of my friends, colleagues and seniors elevated to the Bench; and as a stake-holder in the dispensation of justice, intimately and vitally interested in the functioning of the Supreme Court.
Many judges who adorn the Bench in the Supreme Court and the High Court know me over decades, as a person endowed by nature with a pleasant disposition and acceptance of human failings. Towards the courts, my approach has always been of consistent and continuous display of respect and humility. I bow out of conviction, not compulsion. I use the words “My Lords”, because I want to, not because I have to. As an Attorney, I look up to the Court and want to see it on a high pedestal of dignity, compassion and justice, tempered with mercy.
I have seen my Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice Hamood-ur-Rahman, Chief Justice Muhammad Yaqub Ali, Chief Justice S. Anwar-ul-Haq, Chief Justice Mohammad Haleem and how the Court functioned under them in the 1970s/1980s.
I witnessed the proceedings for the ouster of Chief Justice Sajjad Ali Shah, became aware that the then Prime Minister of Pakistan, Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, had ‘worked’ on some judges of the Supreme Court and saw the physical assault on the Court.
I was appalled at the manner in which Chief Justice Irshad Hasan Khan led the Supreme Court and pained at the insinuations against Justice Sheikh Riaz Ahmad, when he was the Chief Justice.
I was horrified by the establishment of a Bench of five judges constituted by Chief Justice Nazim Hussain Siddiqui to determine whether reduction in the retirement age for judges was constitutional or not. This was clearly designed to block your appointment. I was against the idea of Mr. Amirul Mulk Mengal being made the Chief Justice before you. Within the limits of my influence (which I readily admit to be very limited), I was totally for you to become the Chief Justice. Justice Javed Buttar is aware of my position, as is the Attorney General of Pakistan. The accelerated issue of the notification appointing you the Chief Justice put Justice Siddiqui’s move to rest.
I believed that you were vigorous, capable of lifting up the Supreme Court, creating an espirit-de-corps among your brother judges, restoring the dignity and grandeur of the apex Court, particularly considering the long tenure before you.
Alas this has not come about.
I am not perturbed by your insistence on protocol (despite my belief that the Chief Justice would rise in the eyes of everybody if he walked from his residence to the Supreme Court and hooters, police escort, flags is just fluff, not the substance of an office).
I am mildly amused at your desire to be presented a guard of honour in Peshawar. I am titillated by the appropriation of aMercedes-Benz car or is it cars, the use of the Government of the Punjab’s airplane to offer Fateha in Multan, to Sheikhupura for Fateha on a Government of the Punjab helicopter, to Hyderabad on a Government of the Sind’s plane for attending a High Court function, the huge amount spent in refurbishing the chamber and residence of the Chief Justice, the reservation for yourself of a wing in Supreme Court Judges guest house in Lahore, the permanent occupation by the Supreme Court of the official residence of the Chief Justice of Sind, who per force lives in the basement of his father’s house. As his class fellow in the Government College, Lahore, I can vouch that living in the basement will do him no harm.
I am not perturbed that Dr. Arsalaan (your son) secured 16/100 in the English paper for the Civil Services Examination, that there is a case against him in some court in Baluchistan, that from the Health Department in Baluchistan he has shifted to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), that he has obtained training in the Police Academy, that he reportedly drives a BMW 7-Series car, that there is a complaint against him with the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).
My grievances and protests are different.
I am perturbed that the Supreme Court should issue a clarificatory statement on his behalf. I am perturbed that Justice (Retd.) Wajihuddin Ahmed should be constrained to advise you on television that “people who live in glass houses should not throw stones at others”. I am perturbed that the Chief Justice should summon Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman to his chambers on Dr. Arsalaan’s account.
I am appalled that you announce decisions in Court, while in the written judgment an opposite conclusion is recorded.
In the Petition for leave to appeal filed by Dr. Sher Afghan Niazi, Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs (in which Respondent’s Counsels were Mr. Khalid Anwar and Mr. Qadir Saeed), you refused to grant leave in open Court and yet in the written order, leave was granted to Dr. Sher Afghan Niazi.
On 15-2-2007, Mr. Fakhruddin G. Ebrahim complained that in open Court you had accepted his appeal but dismissed the same in the judgement, subsequently recorded.
If Mr. Khalid Anwar, a former Minister of Law and Parliamentary Affairs, and Mr Fakrhuddin, Senior Counsel, are treated in this manner, the fate of lesser known lawyers would certainly be far worse.
My grievances also concern the manner in which the last and highest court of appeal is dispensing justice, under your leadership.
My Lord, the dignity of lawyers is consistently being violated by you. We are treated harshly, rudely, brusquely and nastily. We are not heard. We are not allowed to present our case. There is little scope for advocacy. The words used in the Bar Room for Court No. 1 are “the slaughter house”. We are cowed down by aggression from the Bench, led by you. All we receive from you is arrogance, aggression and belligerence. You also throw away the file, while contemptuously announcing: “This is dismissed”.
Yet this aggression is not for everyone. When Mr. Sharifuddin Pirzada appears, your Lordship’s demeanour and appearance is not just sugar and honey. You are obsequious to the point of meekness. So apart from violating our dignity, which the Constitution commands to be inviolable, we suffer discrimination in your Court.
I am not raising the issue of verbal onslaughts and threats to Police Officers and other Civil Servants, who have the misfortune to be summoned, degraded and reminded that “This is the Supreme Court”.
The way in which My Lord conducts proceedings is not conducive to the process of justice. In fact, it obstructs due process and constitutes contempt of the Supreme Court itself.
I am pained at the wide publicity to cases taken up by My Lord in the Supreme Court under the banner of Fundamental Rights. The proceedings before the Supreme Court can conveniently and easily be referred to the District and Sessions Judges. I am further pained by the media coverage of the Supreme Court on the recovery of a female. In the bar room, this is referred to as a “Media Circus”.
My Lord, this communication may anger you and you are in any case prone to get angry in a flash, but do reflect upon it. Perhaps you are not cognizant of what your brother judges feel and say about you.
My Lord, before a rebellion arises among your brother judges (as in the case of Mr. Justice Sajjad Ali Shah), before the Bar stands up collectively and before the entire matter is placed before the Supreme Judicial Council, there may be time to change and make amends.
I hope you have the wisdom and courage to make these amends and restore serenity, calm, compassion, patience and justice tempered with mercy to my Supreme Court.
My Lord, we all live in the womb of time and are judged, both by the present and by history. The judgement about you, being rendered in the present, is adverse in the extreme.
Yours faithfully,
NAEEM BOKHARI
Advocate
Supreme Court of
Pakistan
Islamabad, Pakistan
End quote
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Comments
162 responses to “Letter to CJ from Naeem Bokhari”
Matters related to courts and law… boring., I skipped to the end.
A bold step on the right direction. Congrats to Naeem Bokhari for his courageous initiative . May others also follow’s Naeem’s path
Gee…BOLD. I wonder what the circumstances must have been which made him write this letter. Any way I hope he is ready for some time tough times ahead.
I have known Naeem for nearly 40 years. He is such a gentleman and cool person that to resort to placing such damaging material about the CJ must have been forced on him by the abnormal behavior of the CJ. I fully support Naeem, Evil in society and particularly at the higher levels must be identified. Great work, Naeem.
Hats off to mr.Naeem Bukhari for such a courageous communication and startling revelations.Congrates to him for his truthfulness and professional honesty which may bring him some sufferings.however ,all of us must follow the suit and stand with him firmly for this noble cause.
Brave. “behteren jehad jaber sultan ky samnay kalma haq kehna hy”.
He has done jehad against one of the group of “jaber sultans”. It is our duity to support him morally, at least.
Obviously the government does not like current CJ. He gave quite a few decisions which they don’t like, e.g. Steel Mill. Naeem Bukhari, being one of chief ‘chamcha’ or ‘darbaari’ of the government is obviously a part of the media campaign that is now taking place against the CJ. There were many real corrupt CJs before but never Naeem Bukhari wrote a letter like this. It is pretty obvious why he wrote this one.
Brave. “behteren jehad jaber sultan ky samnay kalma haq kehna hy.
He has done jehad against one of the group of “jaber sultans. It is our duity to support him morally, at least.
May we all have courage to speak and support truth.
Heema, interesting point about backlash on the CJ. Could be true (yet another very belieavable conspiracy theory).
Naeem has accused the CJ of contempt of court. I wonder what kind of response it will elicit.
CJ is a successor of Qazi Abu yousuf and Justice Rashid and Corneilus in Pakistan. He should be an epitome of jusitce. living simply, acting justly and compassionately and bold in his commitment. Your sons and your possession are trial in this world which Holy Quran calls a passing show. Any love for them is an anethema to Tuqwa and a denial of position and trust reposed in the office
The CJ has made some decisssions which the dictator did not like. I was expecting his removal since the day he gave the steel mill verdict. Appearently the move for the removal of the CJ has been started now. This letter is the first step.
And so today the CJ of Pakistan has been removed. Do note that Article 129 does not allow the removal of a CJ but just his suspension. Anyways, in our land of the pure, anything goes.
i thought CJ was a nice guy..
but i am only 3 months old in profession.. maybe by the time i have am 40 i will be able to write something like that. but i so, vehemently, pray that i dont have to.
crap! What has to do with Arsalan’s marks with CJ’s duty? Where Naeem was hibernating when Pakstan was being looted by all hands by current and ex govts.
What a nonsensical article. The bas*ard Naeem Bokhari is coming with stupid reasons. Shame on such a literate person. Long live CJ! The honorable CJ has taken many bold steps for the protection of human rights in Pakistan and this is what Mr. Naeem Bokhari comes up with. He should be hanged. Full stop.
The journalist on GEO in CAPITAL TALK has all the story behind this letter, how it was framed, how they took signatures & he even doubts its by NB.
It shows that the son of CJ was transferred by gov itself from one place to another and on instructions by SHAUKAT AZIZ. They dont have even a proof that the CJ had put any pressure for this. So does it mean the GAME was all designed pre-planned ?
Guys, did anyone notice all the private channels have suddenly shut up on the issue after the initial backfire ??
Wow so they media is not being asked to shut ?. Only GEO is showing some stuff….
This is what happens when CJ did not amend his behavior. Naeem Bokhari gave him early warning but he continued posing himself as LORD, Today the Lord is in police custody. VERY GOOD President Parviz Musharraf, this person deserved the treatment!
Naeem Bokhari is an establishment pimp. There are corrupt judges sitting in the Judiciary in Pakistan. The CJ of the Lahore High Court is a case in example who is a big crook, yet nobody touches him because he tows the government line.
The removal of Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry by President Musharraf is a direct and shameful assault on the Judiciary of Pakistan and its independence.
He was a popular Chief Justice who was making the high-ups accountable to the masses and was taking up the cause of the poor masses of Pakistan.
This move is politically motivated. Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry has been holding the government accountable on numerous fronts. The Pakistan Steel Mills case and his criticism of the law enforcement agencies in face of the deteriorating law and order in Pakistan being cases in point. He was exercising suo moto notice of government failures.
There are numerous allegations of corruption against other senior judges, but no action has been taken against them. There are other judges whose conduct is “prejudicial to the dignity of the judiciary and nothing has been done about them because such judges are compliant.
Even if the allegations against the CJ are true, this is not the way to go about it because other judges are engaged in far more serious activities. This smacks of hypocrisy and double standards.
Clearly a case of selective punishment and double standards.
If Moeen Bokhari was really concerned about cleaning up the judiciary, he should have addressed a similar letter to Chaudhry Iftikhar Hussain (similar name but not to be confused with the Supreme Court CJ), the Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court, who is the most corrupt of them all.
Naeem Bokhari has a credibility problem. When he was principal of City Law College, Lahore, he threatened to “break the legs” of an invigilator if he didn’t allow his college students to cheat in a law exam.
Also, he is involved in paying off judges. Someone rightly called him a “pimp”. He’s also a tout for some judges.
Shame on you Mr. Bukhari. You belong write there in the category of those Justice Munir Khans, Sharifuddin Peerzadas.
Shame on you for what a disservice you have done..
Shame on you for you will be, for now on, be remembered as someone who played a dirty part in a conspiracy against the apex court….
I wonder how much NaeeM was paid by Musharaf for writing this piece of nonsense. History will not forgive people like Naeem Bukhari either. Mark my words, he has dug up his own grave.
Today is indeed a black day for Pakistan and especially Judiciary.
I had lost of respect for NB but its all gone now, not because he accused the Judge but he became a part of this conspiracy against Justice and against the people of Pakistan who had only one hope left on this land.
Those who are acting like Mushy’s chumchas bring on the points one by one which they think are reasonable enough for his removal.
(A) If his son was posted from one dept. to other then for everyone’s kind info ( and thanks to the journalist who came on GEO to take off the cloths of gov ) this all had been done by gov. itself and by its signatures which include the police officials leading upto PM himself. Now after doing all this shit. They are accusing CJ from no where ?
Does this makes any sense to you ?
Here are my questions to these chamchas
1. If he applied any force, why they submitted ( even the PM ?? will you believe ?)
2. And if they did then they are equally responsible and should be sacked including Shaukat Aziz
(B) They said he was asking for too much protocol. I got confused too first on what was after all he was asking for. Thanks to the same journalist and Mujeeb-ur-rehman shami & Najam saithi i came to know that he was “merely asking to be saluted by a small 6+ group” as done to heads once & he was asking to raise the protocol for all judges so that their prestige is raised.
If this minor reasons is what they have done it for, than all of the minsters, the officials the PM and MUSHY himself have no right to sit on their kursi as they have demanded and plundered 100 times more than what he asked for.
Come on
Bring what you have Mushy spoons …..
I totally endorse heema’s comment.
Obviously the government does not like current CJ. He gave quite a few decisions which they dont like, e.g. Steel Mill. Naeem Bukhari, being one of chief chamcha or darbaari of the government is obviously a part of the media campaign that is now taking place against the CJ. There were many real corrupt CJs before but never Naeem Bukhari wrote a letter like this. It is pretty obvious why he wrote this one.
I think Mr. Bokhari wants to be in media by all possible means – this is an example of it.
Why hasn’t he taken any action against other injustices happening in our soicety, why has he chosen CJ.
Mr. Bokhari – a pimp, very rightly said please add a hippocrate with his name.
Establishment “chamchas” like Mr. Naeem Bukhari don’t fart without Musharraf’s permission. We all know this letter didn’t come from the heart.
Guys, mark my words, this is the beginning of the end of Musharraf.
this is a pre planned game engineered by pervez elahi, shaukat aziz and gen. musharaf. every one knows that govt. of punjab has intentially violated the decisions of supreme court on Basant and ban on one dish at Shaadi. decision on steel mill privatization has annoyed the shaukat government. And the last one is that there are many cases in front of court regarding election, Uniform and Musharaf’s future. so eventually the general has dismissed the man who had shown some hope of justice to the people of pakistan. Very Sad really very sad.
he(CJ) has been accused of using official govt planes to visit different cities to attend court funtions… let me ask the dictator why the plane gifted by Qatar Airline to PEOPLE OF PAKISTAN is being used by him as a presidential planes when he already have a fleet of presidential jets ,business jets and air force jets at his disposal… why not use that jet be given to PIA so that it can use it on the troubled European routes… he has been accused that he demands too much protocol… well whats wrong with that… when president himself makes the life of countrymen miserable in the name of protocol and security then why not the justice of highest court of the land do it? he has been accused that he ridicules and degrades senior senior civils servants and senior police officers in his court… (frankly don’t we all wana do the same to these jerks when they come up with lame excuses on issues they’re being questioned about) …
Mr. Naeem Bukhari is known to be the present government’s puppet specially for the military ruler General Musharraf. When Musharraf seized power through coup he advocated for him on television.
He is one of those people who have seriously attempted to create confusions in the minds of people for democracy.
This letter is written to make a base for Musharraf in the media to take action.
My last advice to him is because his wife didnot go along well with him and the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif liked her as a singer, he should not take it personally and write and criticise the former PM.
Very soon Naeems own actions, such as his attitude in the unniversity where he is known to flirt with young girls will also be braught in public
all legal experts unanimously are saying that President can’t suspend CJ just like that, he can send a reference against him in supreme judicial council(SJC) and only SJC can do the hearing and decide whether to suspend or fire CJ.. president took another unconstitutional step .. maybe step in the direction of imposing emergency in the country to delay elections…
I fully agree to what Amjad Hussain said. Last year in or around JUNE my dad had this comment:
” The way this GUY is acting like a GOD on earth, its end has started”
This is not a right way to protest against the decisions made by SC if Naeem Bukhari does not like these. Furthermore personal allegations do not have impact if these do not have proofs.I am agreed to Imtiaz that this is a preplanned game by Govet. against CJ. Next step is disclosed today (March 9,2007)by removing CJ illegally and not in a modest way.I think this will create crises legally and politically.
Mr. Naeem Bukhari started off as a bright young lawyer, media person with a style all his own.
That he has levelled flimsy allegations against one of the bravest Cj’s of our dear land in recent times comes as no surprise. He has become a pawn in the hands of the establishment and someone has very rightly said that this is the beginning of the end of the Musharraf rule.
Hope the CJ survives ! Hope all the judges stick together and decide the case on merit. Long live Justice Long live Pakistan
Bravo–bravo! but to whom? CJP or NB? every body is naked in this “Hammam”. name any dept and there are infinite objectionable characters there. now that the CJ has been made in-active, lets see what happens next, while we continuously live in an era of uncertanity. but what i firmly believe is; that everyone has a price, where one can be bought or sold (cheapest commodity MMA).a few days of media hype and there its over coz who so ever has the gold, makes the rules.
No institution is allowed to function in this country. As an institution becomes functional to fulfill the core objectives, it is hit hard by those who are in power. Every Pakistani ruler likes absolute power and does not allow institutions to function. It is BLACK DAY for this country. The reasons given for his removal are not worth even to be considered. All the circumstances point that Mr. Iftakhar is being penalized for taking decisions on merit. I would request all the members of the Supreme Judicial Council to reject all these malafide allegations on Mr. Iftikhar Chadhary.
The dictatorial rule in Pakistan for ages is developing our social attitudes. We saw Zia ousting Bhutto. We observed Ishaq Khan seeing off Benazir and then Nawaz Sharif. We saw Nawaz Sharif dismissing Sajjad Ali Shah, Farooq LEghari and Jehangir Karamat. We observed Leghari getting rid of Benazir. Now it’s Musharraf’s turn. May it be civil guys or the military, the general social attitude that is developed in the society is that only force can win here. Soon we may read and listen things about the General in power as well! May Allah save Pakistan rather the people of Pakistan!
Naeem Has done a good job to highlight these issues. but has he solid proof behind what he said. ?
How concerned Naeem is about justice which aims at providing relief to few people. How concerned he is about adopting respectful attitude for civil servants etc who most often can be categorized as cruels. But he was not only indifferent, rather supported those who have been assissting in slaughtering millions of human- like people, who never had chance to speak under what laws they were slaughtered.
Why don’t I like this guy Naeem? My instinct thinks he is completely vile.
It was a bit surprising how the mainstream media detailed his letter – which read out like an indictment in lieu of an official one.
Planted?
The CJ may have been corrupt–we cannot rule this possibility out. There were allegations against him for the past many years. The point to make is this: will Musharraf ever do the same against one of his C(r)ore Commanders or the PM. This is no way to remove the highest judicial officer from office. This guy has sold Pakistan cheaply and is now bent upon doing anything and everything to make sure he stays in power. I don’t want to believe anything right now (whether the CJP was corrupt or not). What I know for sure is that this would have never happened against the Generals who have raped this country anally and whose children and Pharoah’s in Pakistan. This country had already gone to the dogs. Whatever remains is being finished off in the name of staying in power for Musharraf. Indeed a very sad day for Pakistan and we should all be ashamed at what has happened.
I am ashamed of Mr NB as is on of my professional colleague.
Evry body knows that you were and are a strong supporter of Mr Mushy from the day1 but some dont know that what are the comments regarding your personality in the Supreme bar Association and in the Punjab Bar Association and i dont want to brought these comments here coz my profession dosnt allow me to do the same but after reading these comments here,i am really delighted to say that no one can mislead the public of Pakistan.
i am really surprised that why is Mr NB is why so worried and so jaleous of the Hon’able CJP’s protocole demand.Afterall he is the Apex Jugde of Pakistan and if the Govt is providing and spending the money on NAB judges so why the protocol shouldnt be given to the Higher Judges?Mr bokhari as for as BMW and Mercedes is concerned, i think you are also npw in position to grab that one from the Govt of Punjab or Pakistan.
So far the case of Dr arsaaan is concerened i would like to tell the readers here that all his appointment and transfers are made accordin to the rules and regulations and no voilation is made the only fault on his part is that he is the son of a Judge who has the potential to speak against MUSHY.And the cases to which he refferd,being an Advocate ha shoulnt say any thing because they are prejudice.And how you blame a person for an act which is still pending in the Court.
I again feel sorry for Mr NB because again he is worried for the Senior most,well reputable lawyers of pakistan i.e: Mr Fakhruddin G ibrahim,Mr Khalid Anwar and Mr Sharif uddin pirzada.All those counsel have got a very strong reputation and they need not any support from a person like Mr NB for the prestige of thier profession or fro their own respect.Same with Mr Mir Shakeel ur Rehman, who is a prominent journalist and any mishap withhim could be reported by himself in his own newspaper.
Mr NB also reffered to tje different tenures of the APex cout Judges but he never tried to speak against those Judges who didn’t had a very good reputation in the Bar and Bench.
I can write very long against Mr Nb and Mr Mushy but evrybody knows and the thing is that if Mr NB is that much Patriotic so now he should write another letter to the Parvez Musharaf for his professional misconduct for the removal of an constitutional Govt and voilated his oath as an Army Chief and afrtwords for hoding the Constitution of Pakistan in abayence and so on so on……
But i am agreed with the comments that now the countdown is strted of the Musaharaf’s regime.
The allegations presented by Naeem Bokhari are quiet bogus. There are hardly any government officals who do not misuse their offical authority. I just want to ask that where was Naeem Bukhari when Musharaaf went to US with an entire entourage for the promotion of his book? Why doesn’t he write about Musharaaf attending election rallies on behalf of PML-Q. Is that no un-constitutional.
Today’s decision clearly proves that it was a pre-designed trap for the Chief Justice. Naeem Bokhari is an ISI stooge. Justice Chaudhary’s mistake was to go after the military. He has taken some courageous steps for the welfare of the masses, includeing the historic judgement on the steel mill case as well as continuing to probe the government about the missing people.Alas that has cost him his job. The sitting government has conspired against the Chief Justice. The irony is that the second senior most judge Justice Ranabhagwan Das is in leave and will likely not be re-instated upon his return. This is indeed a black day in the history of Pakistan. As usual there will be lot of hue and cry but the euphoria will die down itself. Perhaps the end will be the dis-integration of the country. I hope I m not alive to see that day.
Well, the article 209 allows the president to send a reference to the Supreme Judicial Council but it does not allow him to suspend the Chief Justice (CJ) and CJ remains in office till the reference is heard by Supreme Judicial Council and its recommendations are sent to the president and he acts on those recommendations. This is the constitutional position but contrary to this CJ has been suspended, new acting CJ has been appointed and now reportedly CJ Iftikhar is being pressurised to resign instead of facing the Supreme Judicial Council.
As far as political dimensions are concerned, no doubt it is politically motivated step taken due to a number of reasons like
The qualifications case seeking disqualification of MMA legislatures is pending in Supreme Court. The disqualification of MMA members means dismemberment of the electoral college of the President, which Musharraf cannot afford because he want to re-elect himself president from the current assembly.
In near future, the matter of the presidents re-election for the current assemblies will be going before the Supreme Court and Musharraf cannot risk an unpredictable person heading the bench hearing this case.
The question of re-election of a general in uniform and question of current assemblys powers to approve Musharrafs continuation in uniform will also be going before the Supreme Court in days to come. Again Musharraf wants to safeguard his interests.
The CJ has been actively proceeding the case of missing persons, which seems to have annoyed the invisible powers that matter. It seems this has also annoyed the king. Besides issues like government complete disregard of Supreme Court ban on basant was to be taken up by Supreme Court and that would have created embarrassment for the Government.
The mother of all Scandals, Steel Mills privatisation was undone by Supreme Court. This left certain people licking their wounds and Government came to the conclusion that it has put a wrong person as CJ and it seems ever since they were planning to get rid of him.
I do not suggest that there were no weaknesses in CJ Iftikhar but again there are many judges in senior judiciary, who can be charged with misconduct, misuse of authority and actions prejudicial to the dignity of office. If his son was inducted in police service of Pakistan without appearing in CSS exam, who authorised his induction and who notified it. Will they be charged with misconduct and misuse of authority?
The hasty manner of CJ’s removal meant that the Chief Justice himself was not accorded natural justice. The allegations contained in Mr. Naeem Bokhari’s letter which appears to have been made a basis of the President’s reference, prima facie seem farcical. All of the allegations except the one about his son appear flimsy. A Chief Justice has to travel the length and breadth of the nation and has to be provided with accommodation and travelling facilities by governments of the various federating units. Amounts spent on renovation of official accommodations and offices are considered as being spent in the public interest and usually properly audited and approved. It is doubtful that the Chief Justice would have insisted on Guard of Honour and if the protocol demanded it, then he should have been provided with it. Regarding actions of his son, that matter needs to be properly investigated. In any event any solid documentary evidence linking the CJ with his son’s posting would be hard to find. The characters of persons making these allegations also need to be properly assessed. Naeem Bokhari is known as a darbari of President Musharraf. The easy ride he gave to Musharraf during his interview on Hum TV recently was revealing. We should also recall that another chief character in this whole drama is the same Prime Minister whose government was found engaged in “acts of omission and commission in the Privatization of Pakistan Steel Mills case by the Supreme Court headed by the same Chief Justice. The timing of the removal is also suspicious when the Senior Most Judge of the Supreme Court (Mr. Justice Rana Bhagwandas) after the Chief Justice is out of the country. Instead a more compliant judge has been given acting charge and the removal of Justice Rana Bhagwandas from hearing of the reference against the Chief Justice has been ensured. A Chief Justice of the Supreme Court or any permanent judge of the Supreme Court or High Courts cannot be suspended or removed by the President under our Constitution unless the Supreme Judicial Council recommends his removal after proving of the allegations against him (Article 209 of The Constitution of Pakistan 1973). The present actions of the government have severely undermined the integrity of the Supreme Judicial Council and its composition has been calculatedly changed. Additionally, the two remaining senior most judges, Mr. Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar and Mr. Justice Javed Iqbal (the so-called acting CJ) have themselves become a party to the problem as they have themselves taken the unconstitutional step of oath-giving and oath-taking respectively. Additionally, one of the judges in the Supreme Judicial Council himself has a reference filed against him by Habib Wahab-al-Khairi which is pending for hearing before the Supreme Judicial Council. How can such judges conduct the hearing impartially against the Chief Justice is a moot point.
right, NB felt aggrieved with the way the prestige of the SC was being lowered by the antics of the CJ Iftikhar Mohd. Ch. But one thing we should not forget is that the author of the letter under discussion has not brought up any matter of financial corruption against the axed CJ, which gives us a hint that maybe he was not corrupt in his dealings but there are shamefully heart-aching stories of big financial scams surrounding the judiciary in this great land of the pure. why hasnt NB ever touched these matters before? was there no CJ in Pakistan who was as shoda as Iftikhar Ch.? case regarding his son who according to the media reports failed in the css exams twice and Dr. Arsalan was finally helped by his father the CJP to enter the Police Service Academy through some alternate less extraneous route. now, if the CJP was so desperate to see his son secure afsari he would have done anything to help him qualify the css exams in which the lad appeared twice as the CJP at that time was a justice of the SC, and helping his son qualify css wouldnt have been a problem for him, which is not something uncommon when it comes to our ruling elite. as for the use of sarkari planes and aircrafts, we should remember that it may be a matter of great hallaboo in civilized societies but not in our country where the PM Short cut Aziz and his leader Shujat Hussain do not mind taking all their family, friends, and relatives numbering 30+ or even more to Saudi ARabia for performing Umra at sarkari kharcha, where according to some stories the president is using an aircraft gifted to the nation of [pakistan by a foreign dignitry. viewed in this context the crime of the CJP seems petty but exagerated to disbelief by NB. no doubt the general has taken prompt action on this letter of NB but i wonder why a more serious effort made by Hamid Khan Advocate exposing the malpractices and misconduct of some of the judges of the higher courts in pakistan published as white papers a couple of years ago could not win the attention of the general. maybe because the paper didnt include the name of the judeges who had passed a verdict against the present regime of hoarders and blackmailers on the matters of privatisation of the PSM, who questioned the government agencies on missing people, who asked the govt. to account for unresonable increases in petroleum , cement and flour prices. as for civil servants and police walas they were treated by the CJ the way they treat their “subjects” and that infuriated them after all those who are accustomed to a culture of authority and danda feel very hurt when somebody out there has the guts and the way to remind them their real duty i.e., to serve the people and to deliver the results. hence this conspiracy against a man who despite some personal failings introduced a culture of judicial activism and human rights enforcement in this country.
the worst part of the whole episode is a general clad in his uniform holding a meeting with the CJ of SCP in the Army House and finally sacking him in the most contemptuous and Derogatory fashion. what is the future of our institutions including the military.
NB i have always been one of ur greatest admirers when it comes to TV talk shows. but u have let me down the only way for you is to make ur position clear by making use of electronic media. i felt very disappointed when i heard Dr. shahid Masood saying on Geo that u had refused to talk to him on phone on this issue. do come on tele and make ur position clear as far as this letter written by u is concerned.
Mr. Bukhar,
Now I understand that you were dancing to the tunes of Army band. Congratulations; you have been successful. How many plots or Billions you got ?
The allegations in the letter of Mr. Bukhari….I think the same applies to all the Parliment, Burocrates, Ministers and Army Generals. Why are they not dismissed like this from Army House.Every body and anybody in Govt. of Pakistan should be sent home as every one of them lives beyond their means. All the burocrats are sons and son-in -laws of Parlimentarins and Politicians. No one has disclosed their marks in CSS Exams.
Look at the character of Mr. Naeem Bukhari… every one knows his past and present. I don’t want to waste my precious words on exposing the character of a characterless man who only knows “Rag Durbari”.
Hey Naeem! I have always been praising you for your acumen, charming personality and robust voice. But there are somethings that i have never liked about you, one: once, many many years before, while interviewing Moeen Qureshi, former PM, you had asked a silly question that why he didn’t take stupid CSS exam instead of being what he was! yuck! This started a question on your level in my mind. Anyway, I liked you even then. Recently in an interview you said on t.v that in money matters you were so careful that you are not so sentimental that you should be saying to a pauper old woman of fighting a case free for her; or your friends have been telling you to invest 50 lacs or so with them in business but you don’t want to. Yet another nonsensical was there to hear from you. I mean how could you just say these things on t.v!. A few days back, while interviewing shoukat the PM, you asked whether he held accountable his staff of their work and calling them like “oye!!!”, don’t you feel shoukie insulted you in reply that what a stupid manner you have adopted in asking that point, aren’t you a modern man?, he said? did he or didn’t he? And now, this letter that you have written to the CJ, doesn’t it prove finally that you are a good-looking devil? I have finally managed to convince myself that there has been a grave mistake on my part that i was doing LLB keeping youuuuu in mind. And that you are a man of something like the people have been calling you in this comment corner. I am really disenchanted! you are actually a stupid. As stupid as a person who could clap on answers of benazir in a tv interview right before her, and laughing too much to an extent of a clown. I really feel sorry for you. I have to dethrone u today.
May be Mr. Naeem Bukhari is justified in his action but what about the height of corruption napotism in much ugly shape in every corner of Pakistan. Can Mr. Naeem Bukhari favour the nation with some more startling facts about the echelons of power and other sacred cows. Probably the situation demands a IMAM KHOMENI for Pakistan. Otherwise our comming generations will spit on our deeds.