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”
Very well planted by the corporate army of Pakistan who were perturbed by the very thought of being questioned about the missing fathers and brothers of scores of families in Pakistan…by the conviction of misconduct and malpractice in the Steel Miils case on the puppet cabinet…or even by not being allowed to fly kites on top of the Supreme Court building so to speak…
A new elite has ben created in Pakistan and that includes those in unifrom. The moment you enter from a Civil jurisdiction to a cantonment or garrison area in a city, the world changes…flowers abound, roads are carpeted, parks are green, security is tight, habitants play and swim in the sports complexes, study in best schools, get treated in best hospitals, even get burried in a nice and clean graveyard… all at the cost of the tax payer money, who has to survive in filthy streets of the country with no justice, law and order, education, health, consumer protection or shelter!
Ms. Naila,
You are 200 % right we just celeberated women’s international day in the cosy comfort of 5 star hotels while the poor majority of women were either begging on streets or casting bricks at Bhattas. The dynasties of billionair rulers are increasing majority of Have nots is alarmingly increasing every institution is being raped. This day will be remembered in history of Pakistan as a Black day and Name of Mr. Naeem Bukhari will be added to the long list of those who caused a jolting damage to Pakistan. We will very soon reap the fruit.
It appears that Naem Bukhari is playing in the hand of army-led government to take revenge of insult government faced on account of steel mills sales and to pave the way to get Musharraf re-elected from this assembly.Presence of only members of newly selected judicial council in the oath taking ceremony of acting CJP clearly indicates motive of government that it is not willing to have any judicial hurdle in getting re-elected Musharraf as a president.In Pakistan where any this is possible for getting power such things used to happen in past and will continue to happen in future as well.
All respect for NB is dead now.
If he or his chamchas are reading this then let me enlighten them with more serious allegations against the thug GENERALS and gov.
The Lahore high court in Pakistan is being overwhelmed by complaints of military corruption involving the highest ranking generals, officials of the Pakistan Peoples Party have revealed.
The petition includes claims that:
* Air Chief Marshal Abbas Khattak (retired) received Rs180 million as kickbacks in the purchase of 40 old Mirage fighters.
* Air Chief Marshal Farooq Feroz Khan was suspected of receiving a 5 per cent commission in the purchase of 40 F-7 planes worth $271 million.
* In 1996, the Pakistan Army bought 1,047 GS-90 Jeeps at a cost of $20,889 per unit. The market value of the vehicle then was only $13,000. According to the National Accountability Bureau, some senior army officers made Rs 510 million in the deal.
* One hundred and eleven army men got 400 plots in Bahawalpur and Rahimyar Khan districts at throwaway prices –Rs 47.50 per kanal (1/8th of an acre) as against the market rate of Rs15,000-20,000. Six respondents got 400 kanals in Punjab, while former NAB chairman Lt Gen Mohammad Amjad was allotted a two-kanal plot on Sarwar Road in Lahore for just Rs 8,00,000, payable in instalments over 20 years. The market value of this plot was Rs 2 crore.
* Gen Pervez Musharraf acquired a commercial plot worth Rs 2 crore at the Defence Housing Authority in Lahore for just Rs 1,00,000, payable in 20 years. “As mentioned in the report of defence services director-general, a loss of Rs 5 billion was incurred due to such allotments,” the petition says.
* The army awarded a contract for the purchase of 1,000 Hino trucks at $40,000 a unit when the local Gandhara Industries had offered trucks of the same specification for $25,000 a piece.
* In the purchase of 3,000 Land Rovers in 1995, army officials allegedly received around Rs20,00,000 as kickbacks.
* The army management at the Water and Power Development Authority purchased electric meters at Rs 1,050 a piece against the market price of Rs 456, causing a loss of Rs 165 crore to the national exchequer.
* A former military regime sold the Pak-Saudi Fertilizers for Rs 700 crore and earned a Rs 200 crore commission on the deal.
* In 1996, the Pakistan Navy spent Rs 1.3 crore on installing air-conditioners at the Islamabad Golf Club without any justification.
I agree, This is the beginning of the end of the Musharraf rule.
Mr. Naeem has been very successful in the show business. His letter to CJ has been timed so well that one is forced to find the line Mr. Naeem has drawn between his two professions (law & show business). The worst part of this darkest patch in the judicial history of Pakistan is that apparently Mr. Naeem’s letter has been based for the Presidential Reference against CJ. I believe the grievances raised Mr. Naeem are certainly vaild but of low priority. Also, Mr.Naeem should also take into account if CJ has done anything positive which was not done before by any CJ.
Where was Mr. Naeem Bokhari. When his Mrs. Tahira Seed was in the arms of Nawaz Sharif. He used to wait for he at his home. I believe if Justice Iftikhar would have been there he would have help him to recover his wife. I this this is the basic grief of Mr. Bokhari that ” where was the justice at that time” Shame on Bokhari
This letter of Mr. Naeem Bukhari whom I respected alot is in fact does not look initiated for which it is being posed off. It now looks it was initiated for the porpose which has resulted in removal of CJ. It was another malacious move which has bowed the heads of the nation.
Its really really unfortunate that things in our country are comming to this pass. Its only the first time that Ive had the opportunity to go through this letter. I dont know whether all of it is correct or not, but its pretty obvious that the letter has a motive behind it.
Naeem Bokhari has been increasingly coming on TV and has had an ample opportunity to become the devils advocate and below whistles around against corrupttion at any and all levels; but he certainly refused to do so and has suddenly come out with this stuff. Obviously, theres a reason why he didnt do this previously and raised such voice against others.
Following his TV debates, one can easily come to the conclusion that hes been just another junta mouthpiece. This impression solidified in my mind when recently, I watched him interviewing the President – General and his PM back to back in his show on HUM TV. More than being an interviewer, he acted like a poodle dog, to speak frankly. He was so servile and confirmist to both of them that watching the show became a sick and nauseating exercise. However, in a previous episode, when he interviewed Benazir Bhutto, he acted like he was a state prosecutor. In that instance, he became so agonizing that Benazir left her seat and he called for a break. Yes, it was all aired, although the program was recorded.
This is Naeem Bokhari – subjective to the core, even when interviewing popular personalities on TV.
I am not a lawyer nor a judge and have never studied Law. So I cannot comment on the technicality related to the removal. But being a patriot Pakistan, I just want to write few comments:
1. Any Tom, Dick and Harry Govt or offical son can get a job which others deserved more, so why not CJ son (if he did so).
2. Many people live in Govt. hostels in Karachi, even when they are convicted. (Check the records, if they exist)
3. I personally feel that CJ deserve a BMW and a chartered plane, because he have worked hard throughout his lifetime and been under pressure the most because of political influence. He deserves repect and honor more than MNAs and Ministers(there are few exceptions), who have inhereted thier places in Assemblies.
In the end I would refute the comments of Mr. Saeed on Mr, NB personal life.Referal to her wife is hitting below the belt/
A bold step on the right direction. Naeem Bokhari well done, Keep going.
I think the action taken by Mr Naeem Bokhari is right and justified and all irrespective of there position should be held accountable. Well done for this bold step Mr Bokhari
A small letter by Mr. Bokhari leads to a giant leap of intrigue and conspiracy. What remined of the judicial carcass will end in the abdomen of vultures.
I, as Pakistani, pray for the longevity of my beloved country.
disgraced lawyer Naeem Bukhari’s license to practice as lawyer has been canceled…
Should we keep on comenting on such drastic actions of dictator or protest practically.
Tahira Syed will be happy now that she made a right decision for gettin rid of this filthy idiot.
@ Adnan: I’m sorry for my typo with regards to the comment at Article 209 of the constitution.
@Omer: Following is the article 209 of the constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan:
[quote](1) There shall be a Supreme Judicial Council of Pakistan, in this Chapter referred to as the Council.
(2) The Council shall consist of,
(a) the Chief Justice of Pakistan;
(b) the two next most senior Judges of the Supreme Court; and
(c) the two most senior Chief Justices of High Courts.
Explanation:- For the purpose of this clause, the inter se seniority of the Chief Justices of the High Courts shall be determined with reference to their dates of appointment as Chief Justice [231][otherwise than as acting Chief Justice], and in case the dates of such appointment are the same, with reference to their dates of appointment as Judges of any of the High Courts.
(3) If at any time the Council is inquiring into the capacity or conduct of a Judge who is a member of the Council, or a member of the Council is absent or is unable to act due to illness or any other cause, then
(a) if such member is a Judge of the Supreme Court, the Judge of the Supreme Court who is next in seniority below the Judges referred to in paragraph (b) of clause (2), and
(b) if such member is the Chief Justice of a High Court; the Chief Justice of another High Court who is next in seniority amongst the Chief Justices of the remaining High Courts, shall act as a member of the Council in his place.
(4) If, upon any matter inquired into by the Council, there is a difference of opinion amongst its members, the opinion of the majority shall prevail, and the report of the Council to the President shall be expressed in terms of the view of the majority.
(5) If, on information received from the Council or from any other source, the President is of the opinion that a Judge of the Supreme Court or of a High Court,
(a) may be incapable of properly performing the duties of his office by reason of physical or mental incapacity; or
(b) may have been guilty of misconduct, the President shall direct the Council to inquire into the matter.
(6) If, after inquiring into the matter, the Council reports to the President that it is of the opinion,
(a) that the Judge is incapable of performing the duties of his office or has been guilty of misconduct, and
(b) that he should be removed from office, the President may remove the Judge from office.
(7) A Judge of the Supreme Court or of a High Court shall not be removed from office except as provided by this Article.
(8) The Council shall issue a code of conduct to be observed by Judges of the Supreme Court and of the High Courts.[unquote]
In above mentioned clause there are no provisions that would allow the President of Pakistan to either sack or suspend the CJ until the judicial enquiry against him has proven him guilty. And if only you would have cared enough to go through your own papers (Dawn) blow by blow account of yesterdays events. Youd have known that the President General had declared the CJ non-functional right after meeting him. Would you now please care to enlighten me as to which clause of which constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan, allowed him to do so?
And before you claim to know me and point fingers at me claiming that Im just another MMA lover, I am letting everyone know here that Im not.
I am hoping to get an intelligent reply from you, if possible.
Congratulation to the architect of dictatorship, Mr Shareef uddin Pirzada on the birth of your heir Mr. Bokhari.
Since the day when Pakistan was founded our Courts, judges, military and civil administration is being a play toy for outer forces, sometimes for UK sometimes for USA some times for others. I dont think that CJ is more corrupt than Shaukat Aziz, I dont believe that CJ is more corrupt than Pervez Musharaf and dont think that CJ is more corrupt that any one else in the current Government set up. Here are present service army Generals who made money (millions and billions) out of their corruption in current Government so why only the CJ. Why Musharaf is not taking a single action against his Military Generals, Ministers of cabinet, MNA’s, MPA,s, Nazim,s and all other machinary including Police. No because he is standing on their shoulders and CJ has given some jerks to these shoulders where Musharaf is scared to fell down. Thats all about the letter of Naeem Bokhari, he who could not control his own wife and infront him she was doing all flirts how he can blame CJ for something which is done intentionally by his son.
through out his life NB portraid
himself in the worst degraded positions, how CJ came to know all about him and give him deserving treatment in his court is another feather in the cap of CJ, IF I COULD SEE NB I WOULD SPIT ON HIS FACE AS A MARK OF UTTER SCORN FOR HIS UTTERANCES. SMARTGUY.
1st of all i dont think that Naeem Bokhari,s letter is even worth mentioning…the guy is nothing
but a showman!
Now come to the point;ACCORDING to our constitution(By the way,which is also a piece of
crap;discrimination against minorities in the very start and sovereignty assigned to GOD!….) the
Chief Justice could only be removed from office by the president “AFTER” the recommendation of
Supreme Judicial Counsel not before it…….its this Counsel,that suggests whether the judge under
scrutiny should be fired because of his misconduct,misuse of authority or actions prejudicial to
the dignity of his office etc…the removal of CJ Iftikhar Chaudhry even before his prosecution
commences is utterly nonsensical,absolutely not in accordance to the constitutional provisions and
irrefutable proof of militray,s EXTENSIVE knowledge about constitution.
Suppose;a vote of no confidence is brought in parliament against PM Shaukat Aziz(the 1st
non-political politician of Pakistan!)he couldn,t be removed from his office until the motion
against him presented in legislature is passed by two third majority or he resigns to avoid the
humiliation of being thrown out of office in such a dishonourable manner. SO what does it imply;the
defendant is always innocent until proven guilty! and another funny thing;technically Iftikhar
Chaudhry is still the Chief Justice of Pakistan because the recommendation of Supreme Judicial
Counsel is yet to come but our stupid military has already installed another CJ(Justice Javed
Iqbal)….this means that literally,at the moment there are “2” Chief Justices of this country we
call PAKistan.
Obviously,many of CJ Iftikhar Chaudhry,s decisions were not liked by the establishment and at many
times he even scolded the authorities for not being able to ensure the public safety and uphold the
rule of law….and particularly after his landmark ruling on Steel Mill,s sale on such a nominal
price was surely going to bring some serious repercussions for him…Supreme Court specifically
ordered to ban the stupid and FATAL so-called festival of BASANT but the government not only
overruled the Supreme Court,s authority but indeed banned the public to ride motorbikes for 2 days
only to facilitate 1% of Pakistanis to fly a few worthless kites,who control the top brass. so why
not charge General Musharraf,PM Aziz,Shujat Hussein and CM Pervaiz Elahi with contempt of court?
why the hell not???
Talking of misconduct and misuse of authority;well,has any insititution in Pakistan done it so
conveniently and so often than ARMY itself?…they lied to us about the ALLEGED Indian aggression
in 1948,1965 and 1971,whereas the fact is that it was our army that satarted all these wars by
giving india some pretext for armed hostility,they have been responsible for one of the worst and
most shameful massacres of 20th century;OPERATION SEARCHLIGHT,launched from 25th March till 16th
December 1971,during which regular army troops backed by BERADED BEARS of Al-badar and Al-shams
killed hundreds of thosands of Bengalis and raped thousands of women……..yes RAPED! so much for
our JAWANS and their false pride!
to the best of my limited knowledge,no other military in the world is involved in EXTRA-CURRICULAR
activities to the extent that Pakistani army is!….Fauji Fertilizer,Fauji Foundation,Defence
Housing Authority,Army Public Schools & Colleges and above all Cantonements(which reminds me of
Apartheid policy of South Africa)whats the legal justification of military running their own
business with complete impunity ;like the country was made only for these thugs in uniform?
I am sick and tired of this army,the whole institue should be dismembered for the sake of
country……and i am pretty much sure that Musharraf,s next step would be to force Iftikhar
Chaudhry to resign even before his hearing begins to avoid the possible embarrassment if Supreme
Judicial Counsel acquits him,the political fallout,ll be to difficult for him to manage…….so
its always prudent to have a backup plan for such unforseen emergency!
DOWN WITH PAKISTAN ARMY
WELL……… in the land of dwarfs who can put up with an upright person…..God Knows wheather CJ’s as honest as we presume, but we are sure that Naeem Bokhari and the Musharaf are men of no character………..Slaute to CJ………shit for the rest of the two
Chief Justice Iftikhar M. Chaudhry has been a high court judge since 1989. The entire intelligence machiner of the government could not level one allegation of financial corruption against him. Sure, he’s not an angel, but his itself proves how honest this Chief Justice was. Instead they level flimsy charges against him like demanding protocol (which government official doesn’t!), mistreating Naeem Bokhari, etc.
We all love CJ Ch. Iftikhar and i can simply say that Musharraf,Shaukat and Naeem bukhari are all bastards.
This is a shameful act.
The allegations are simply ridiculous.
Thay just wanne get rid of such a man who bravely give decisions against the govt.
We are all sick of this bastard musharraf and PML(Q).They are all bullshits.Pakistani are not that much stupid as the govt. thinks.
WE ARE ALL WITH CH. IFTIKHAR
Good Bless him
The sad occassion of removal of CJ Iftikhar Chaudhry will be remembered in future as a Black day. I think the charges of Graft, corruption mis-appropriation and causing losses to Government of Pakistan to the tune of Billions of Rs.were levelled against MR. TARIQ KIRMANI (as Chief of PSO) by MNA & Member Standing Committee Petrolium & Natural Resources which were more heinous then the filmsy stories narrated by NB against CJ Iftikhar Chaudhry. Inspite of Pending enquiry reports with NAB Mr. Tariq Kirmani was elevated to yet another prize postition to Head the national Flag Carrier PIA where he broke all records of corruption, napotism, regimentation and regality and similar enquiries were again initiated for his role in PIA by The standing committee of Defence many a times but all power corridors have turned a deaf ear. As a result the arrogance and high headed ness of Tariq Kirmani lead to a disastorous ban on PIA’s entire fleet except 7 Boeing 777 ‘s by Europeon Union causing collosal financial losses in billions of Dollars while the airline was already in a tail spin dive due financial crisis. I think much lesser legalities were involved in his removal. Tariq Kirmani was also summoned by President but for back thumping to go ahead with the rape of countries prestrige it’s Flag carrier. How you compare both cases.
dear alvi ! aoa
i hope the justice ( insaf )is given chance to prevail………..
khalid
Going through the comments we are mande to believe that the reference against thr CJ is entirely based on NB’s letter which really does not contain material warranting the swift and stern action taken by the President.The President and his advisors are not so naive or fools to take such a bold decision without reasonably being sure that they will be up-held by the SJC. I have a feeling that there is much more than what is contained in NB’s letter.The same shoud come out,I hope when the hearing takes place.In case the CJ resigns before the hearing supports my contention.If the CJ is not guilty and an upright man,as we all feel he is, then HE MUST APPEAR BEFORE THE SJC AND CLEAR HIS NAME.That indeed would be a befitting reply to the President and the people of Pakistan.I wouild also recommend that if he is exonarated by the SJC, the license of NB should be cancelled and he should not be allowed to practice law in the country.
Fellow Citizens and Countrymen!
I am tempted to write this letter because the last few days have left some deeply troubling marks on the history of Pakistan. Today I want to share my thoughts with you, and hope that you will bestow me with the honor of telling me that I am wrong.
You all would be aware of the events that unfolded in Pakistan on Friday, March 9th. The President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistanin the highest of highhandednessousted the Highest Adjudicator of the Land, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. Even by our rather lowly standards, this ouster is an inconceivable political first.
For me personally, the act inadvertently conjures images of the Medieval era in which the King sought the bountiful support of the judges and politicians; uncompromising on the slightest disagreement; and, using all means necessary to force them to follow his commands.
I am tempted to believe that ours is no Republic where laws are omnipotent. It has but a history as short as 60 years, but as powerful as a full 500 years needed to cast a spell of total ruin. Illusionists and magicians pulled out every trick up their treacherous sleeve to cast bad spells over the years and condemn the laws to the gallows. However, mo act compares to how the poltergeist of the Justice Sajjad era was invoked yesterday to haunt and deprive the masses of their only living hopea powerful Judiciary.
Were we to put things in perspective, the last 60 years of this country are reminiscent of a tarnished era; one of struggle between the two noblest of institutions: the Army and the Judiciary. While a soldier takes solaceand pridein defending his country, and sacrificing his life when circumstances so desire; a judge upholds the most fundamental of human values: the right of citizens to protection in the face of encroachment by the state. Both protections are needed because enemiesboth internal and externalcan strike without warning. A state can never do without these institutions. And can never do with one not following its role, and intruding into the affairs of the other either.
As simple as this seems for the rest of the world, this principle fails in Pakistan. For one reason or the other, our Generals have always carved “legitimacy for their actions in the name of defending Pakistan against external aggression. To our great misfortune, we tend to accept this fact wholeheartedly. Telling them to stop interfering is like teaching Platos Republic to a Pig: it wastes ones time and it annoys the Pig! But in our case, the tragedy is bigger.
Unwittingly or intentionally, we too are to blame for cowing in the face of their covert and overt intimidations. What is more, a fake sense of pride in defending against India makes us vulnerable to fooling ourselves into believing in them as our saviors.
Call it a material fact of our lives or a trivial assertion by someone trying to recapitulate how we have reached thus far; we are but fools with a tendency to dwell in superficial matters more than onceand often repeatedly.
The Chief Justice was indeed corrupt by our national standards. After all, it were in our idealized religious state that all the C(r)ore Commanders were made to return the billions they had accumulated; all those who forced East Pakistan to break away from West Pakistan were prosecuted; and, those who have plundered the national exchequer rendered public apologies. Now making the Chief Justice accountable for appointing his son to the FIA, or taking a chartered flight to offer Quls, are matters so non-trivial that the President should file a Reference against him.
Or wait. Would it have been better if he were simply hanged or shot so that we would not witness a justice that has been tailored to suit the needs of the powerful? You know once I had a friend comment that it was better if the Nazis were shot dead instead of making them stand trial at Nuremberg because it was all done to show “civility to the rest of the world and no truth had emerged from the record. I had criticized him then, but now I agree. Not only is justice delayed justice denied, but justice compromised trades off into two shots in the head, dragging a corpse through the streets and best (and here is that part I now very truly believe in) proclaiming to the masses that no longer are there any “laws to protect.
The advantages of this action are many. Once and for all, the masses will be spared the pain of not knowing whether the law will come to their recourse. They can extinguish the flame of the flickering hope that justice would one day arrive at their doorsteps. And best, there would be no more be suo moto actions against enforced disappearances by the Government, or calling them to explain their actions in the case of cheaply selling off national assets such as the Pakistan Steel Mills.
What happened to the Chief Justice of Pakistan is indeed the greatest conceivable disrespect of the Judiciary. What is graverand totally unforgivableis that one man can change the laws to suit his ambitions. Not intending to scare, what is even graver is that he has followed this pattern as a matter of “law. Today, he insulted the Chief Justice. Tomorrow he will find no higher-ups to insult. Nature will then take its course. The Lord shall then entrust a greater power to eliminate him. Such are the affairs of life. Indelibly, Pakistan will continue to suffer as it has in the past.
We are men of conscience who have consciously or unconsciously fallen prey to religious fervor, vague patriotism, and an unidentified national identity. Before we lay ourselves to rest forever, let us take one last breath together with all our shattered dreams and diminished hopes.
Let us forgive all the Generals for their takeovers.
Let us forgive all those who have looted this country.
Let us forgive all those who broke this country into two pieces.
Let us forgive all those who again want to break this country.
Let us forgive all those who traded national secrets for their personal gain.
Let us forgive all the Naeem Bokharis who have played out in the hands of intelligence agencies.
Let us forgive all those who kill others in the name of their Islam.
Last but not the least, let us forgive ourselves for forgiving everyone today.
Yours sincerely,
Bechara Pakistani
is Naeem Bokahri not getting any media publicity, that he is using other means to get attention? i feel sorry for him, that despite writing a long letter, using words very clevery..he failed to make a point.
he could not prove any corruption or money laundering case towards CJ.
so what exactly is he whining about..that CJ has a mercedes and his son has a BMW? why he doesnt inquire about all the bmws and mercedes in islamabad and where the money came from?
and if he complaing about the harsh attitude of the cj, if naeem bokahri heart is so vulnerable..he should quit advocacy where people traet him so harshly and contiue hosting some tv show where he is used to get praised and singing poetry.
Here is Article 209.5 (as ammended). You will notice that It says “If, on information received from the Council or from any other source.” That, there, is your Clinton Clause!
He can form opinion based on thin “any other source!” Pakistani Constitution is such a crock!!!
(5) If, on information received from the Council or from any other source, the President is of the opinion that a Judge of the Supreme Court or of a High Court,
(a) may be incapable of properly performing the duties of his office by reason of physical or mental incapacity; or
(b) may have been guilty of misconduct, the President shall direct the Council to inquire into the matter.
Here is Article 209.5 (as amended).
“(5) If, on information received from the Council or from any other source, the President is of the opinion that a Judge of the Supreme Court or of a High Court,
(a) may be incapable of properly performing the duties of his office by reason of physical or mental incapacity; or
(b) may have been guilty of misconduct, the President shall direct the Council to inquire into the matter.”
You will notice that It says “If, on information received from the Council or from any other source. That, there, is your Clinton Clause!
He can form his opinion based on thin air or he can just pull it out of his ass; which is a legitimate “any other source! Pakistani Constitution is such a crock!!!
The way Chief justice’s family was treated by this corrupt regime had left me wonder that what kind of country pakistan is? Please click on the following link to read how CJ family was treated: http://www.nation.com.pk/daily/mar-2007/11/index8.php
I would only prey that I can see a day when Mushy is arrested, trailed, and charge for treason.
Well I do see politics behind this letter of over boldness, Naeem got the Government support and he has been offered a good amount of money to write such thing against CJ, It is now clear CJ is CJ and Mr. Naeem has made the Ground for injustice, Shame on us that we dont know how much Mr. Naeem has been paid for this, He is not respectful anymore, this nation is not Idiot. Shame on Naeem Shame on you
It is time that the courts and judges are held accountable. Pakistan can be reformed if the judiciary can dispense justice without corruption and self interest.
Atlast!!! Someone speaks. Wish more people followsuit. We need to get our self respect as an individual back from these vultures of power that are in our Pakistan, only then will our nation be respected. Hope the President can read and understand
NAEEM BOKHARI is just a “kanjar” who is “Pitho” of Govt and he should be jailed forever for this letter as he is assisting a non damocratic government.
What’s next for us… the Judicial Council meeting on Tuesday behind closed doors; declaring the same eveing that the reference against former CJ was correct and so he is removed from his duties immediately???…insiders comment that there is a strong bias against the CJ within the judicial council already…so the result is probably on the wall!
What is going to be unfortunate after this is the army led government blaming the juduciary of everything that will happen till that time and get out smoothly, safely…
Long live liars and usurpurs; for the weak common man, there is a single message; “Hey dude, we don’t even tolerate the Chief Justice of the country in our way, who are you to protest against our actions?”
I am a big fan of Naeem Bukhari, where as I just know Justice Iftikhar Ch coz of some good decisions like Steel Mills case.
I am astonished that our society is full of filthy corruption at every level which is not obsreved by Naeem Bukhari and he suddenly became sole custodian of Pakistan. On his part it is the worst thing one can do in a sophisticated society. He is a sick minded person and i could not expect such kind of stupidity on Naeem Bukhari’s part. He has committed a historic crime and Nation will not leave him.
100% agreed with Naila that the decision of Supreme Judicial Council is already written on the wall.And i can see that after a few months when the nation’s attention will be divertd to another issue,Mr Naeem bokhari will be awarded a better place according to his own wishes.And what i think MR NB’s brother Mr Saleem Altaf(the present director operations Pakistan cricket board)will be the next Chairman of PCB after Dr Naseem Ashraf.
Where is NB by the way? Nowhere on TV, newspapers… anyone?
In my opinion, people like Aziz A Munshi and Shrifuddin Pirzada should be sent to exile from Pakistan due to their services for the dictators…NB will require sometime to reach there!
Finally Pakistan is moving towards a self correcting society. Whether the charges are right or wrong, This Letter by Naeem Bukhari will lead to give powerfull judges etc. to fear they can be caught for thier wrong actions and they are not the Gods.
And We must also appreciate Musharaf’s Govt to give freedom of expression to people. One must be allowed to point out if he wants to. now jury may decide right and wrong according to law.
Minister’s and politicians (Like Speaker national assembly Ameer Hussain who bought a mercedese and Arbab ghulam raheem who bought a luxury private jet on govt’s expense) also should open thier eyes and stop the Hooters and mercedeze culture.
Well Done Naeem Bukhari, and Well done Musharraf. I think musharaf should proudly announce he is a TRUE DICTATOR and doing what democracy cant ever do (bcoz pakistan’s majority isilletrate and dumbhead).
Paid Chamcha F*CKING NAEEM PAINDOO BUKHARI PARHA LIKHA JAHIL, SHAH SAY ZIADA SHA KA WAFADAAR, NOTE DAU AUR OOSKI LAU (LETTER WRITING ABILITY)…
AUR ISKO JEHAAD KEHNAY WALAY PURAY KAY PURAY JAAHIL….
Not a good step – events folded after wards were quite unpleasent. I am of a firm view the step is likely to weaken the Judiciary even more. Naeem Bokhari doesn’t write any thing against Generals, Politicians and bureaucrates (he prefers to talk about them – only gosips).
Simple reasons for what is hapening around
1- Steel Mill Decision
2- Missing Persons Case
Army Chief or Chif Executive or Agent or Owner of the State or Ruler or President or
The King of the Jungle Can do anything.
Naeem Bukhari’s Letter was a well organized plne.
Full marks to naeem who vanish the last hope of relatives of missing persons.
May Allah do the rest for such criminals of the Society.(Amin)
I hope Mr. Bukhari has written this letter with full conscience and knows very well the consequences of TOHMAH in the Hereafter. He must also be aware of the Ayahs in Surah Noor regarding TOHMAH. Quran suggests 80 lashes in open. If his conscience is clear and he believes himself answerable before Allah Subhanahu wa Taala on the Day of Judgement, then may Allah help him.
Well…. whats a dictator for? To do what is to be done in favor of the country. Musharraf did the right thing for once. He needs to be firm against these corrupt people. If he had not done this, the opponents would have said “Musharraf has his own corrupt person as a CJP! He is an American Agent!”. Musharraf did the right thing. You kids have not even tasted the previous governments I guess. The level of corruption was insane! This regime may not be the best, but I know for sure its better than BB (Bayzameer), NS (aNuS) or those fucked up bearded Islamic Mullahs.
His letter may be fact or fiction, but the the point is that he is a tv presenter, rather a yesman, who’ll agree to whatever the person infront is saying.
Dear Mr. GenreX, I have no Idea why you are hiding your origional name. Let’s be brave and have enough courage to listen the other opinions too. You are supporting Musharaf on this action against CJ, are you gone mad or what!!!!! have you not read the charges against CJ and will you please let us know in a country where even Mohalla councelors are Naib Nazims and Nazims who are suppose to be public servant are enjoying more facilities from the government than they blammed CJ. I think you are living in the world of dreams, have you never seen Musharaf’s Juloos of security which comprises on at least 300 marked vehicles and how many from secret agencies unmarked we dont know. Have you never noticed that whole city of Lahor, Karachi, Islamabad, Faisal Abad, Multan, Hydreabad been sealed when ever our “”publically beloved president” pay visits. Do you think that in any sensible country of the world a bloody army chief can act as a president too. Think Mr. GenreX think please, we are not fool, and you might have read the newspapers regularly you may know what is the public opinion poll and all lawyers, students, politicians etc are angry on this act of Musharaf, coz every body knows that CJ has put his foot on the tail of Musharaf by way he deal the Steel mill scandal, missing persons and other important issues. If I want I can write millions of words on the corruption of current government but use less. “Dheet aadmi ko kis cheez ke parwa”
Matters related to courts and law boring., I skipped to the end.
hi
What i read from naeem bukhari letter , i really appreciate him that as an advocate he mentioned so many irregularities and misconduct by the head of a top most court in pakistan . i think he took a bold step . my opinion is so much corruption and dishonesty prevail in pakitani society that the top most ppl are doing what a lay man do every day . i think its pakistan destiny