ISLAMABAD: People from all segments of society on Tuesday were glued to their seats in offices, homes and elsewhere, not to watch the World Cup opening cricket match, but to be informed about the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) hearing of the presidential reference against Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, the suspended Chief Justice of Pakistan.
Whether or not the SJC decides in favour of the chief justice, it surely will entail a volley of repercussions both on political and judicial spectrum. The presidential reference and related developments, needless to say, have eclipsed all other issues.
Crystal gazers believe that the judicial crisis that they dubbed as unique has the potential to trigger changes on the political scene.
After the October 12, 1999 events, so many political developments have taken place, be it unexpected departure of the Sharif family to Saudi Arabia or Mir Zafarullah Jamali’s unceremonious exit as premier, nothing could make such a deep impact as did the suspension of the chief justice.
It was the first occasion after the “attack on the apex court building” during the second stint of Nawaz government that the nation’s as well as the world’s attention was focused on action-packed developments in Islamabad.
It was not surprising that the circulation of Urdu and English newspapers as well as the viewership of television channels dramatically went up ever since the presidential reference was filed.
Arguably, the entire political scene is rapidly changing. Forgetting all other issues, the joint opposition has also thrown its support behind Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry. Moreover, there are no statements in media even about the proposed and coming all parties’ conference to be held in London on March 24-25.
As things stand today, there are some indicators that elections may ultimately be delayed for some time. Though it is too early to speculate this way, in the light of some key government figures’ recent statements, and the judicial crisis, the situation can lead to postponement of polls.
Is the exiled leadership in a position to play any role? Both Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto have issued statements in support of the chief justice. But hardly any statement from London-based Altaf Hussain was observed in media.
Some political analysts even vehemently advocated immediate return of PPP and PML-N leaders to lead their parties back home.
In their private conversations, some political leaders of the two mainstream parties were of the view that both leaders should consider the comeback option. Whether opposition parties of diverse backgrounds can sink their apparently insurmountable differences to adopt a joint line of action is debatable.
It will be interesting to note what course of action PPP leader Benazir Bhutto adopts in the days to come. Any hard-line pro-CJ approach on her part in the days to come will put at rest speculations about the possibility of a deal with the powers that be on the future power game.
The issue has its fallout on public life, as there was hardly any activity witnessed at the government and private offices. The hot topic for lengthy discussions was the SJC proceedings and the combined opposition’s march from the Parliament House to the Supreme Court building and related developments.
Even after the SJC proceedings were adjourned till Friday, private television channels continued with their coverage of the event, holding talk shows and discussions on various aspects of the matter and its possible impact on the national horizon.
Source: The News
Date:3/14/2007
