Pakistani cuisine is quite spicy but the food for thought that is now coming from Parksitan may burn quite a few mental stomachs.PAKISTANI FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Pakistani cuisine is quite spicy but the food for thought that is now coming from Parksitan may burn quite a few mental stomachs.
On March 9th the Chief justice of Pakistan Mr. Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry was suspended from office on the orders of president Musharaff for alleged (but unspecified) misconduct. The removal of Justice Chaudhry provoked an unexpected vulcano of protests by population, civil servants and legal circles. In parallel to the rage of ordinary citizens several hundred lawyers in their black coats went to the streets of the major cities. Fraternities of Pakistani lawyers saw in the Chaudhry scandal an attempt by the rulers to humiliate and tame justice in general. Bloody riot clashes with police in Lahore and Islamabad turned the personal professional drama of Justice Chaudhry into a social and political barricade which united magistrates and lawyers. Even those who are close to the authorities refused to represent the government’s case against Mr. Chaudhry. Chief editors of newspapers and TV channels showed a remarkable resilience against the political pressure from Supreme judicial council not to cover the Chaudhry case. The offices of the private Geo TV were raided by police, glass doors and equipment smashed and tear gas shells fired inside- just because of its footage and comments on the affair, as the BBC reports.
Obviously Pakistan is giving a lesson to the world in civil society and selfless defense of judicial independence. Whatever the facts of the case may be it is clear that the professional and social prestige of Justice Chaudhry indicates a spiritual link with his protesting defenders. And whatever the Pakistani judicial system may be this spiritual link between the Judge and the Public indicates a living shared value- that of independent judiciary and of simple human fairness.
In Bulgaria nobody was excited by this Pakistani drama. And nobody got ashamed of it. Yet some claim they should go and civilize that part of the world!
What would be the reaction of Bulgarian magistrates and lawyers if the same fate befalls the Bulgaria supreme court president? Would we go to the streets to fight for him? Or we shall shrink into our cowardly shells and some shall even run to lick the government with new slanders against the removed judge and with suggestions for his succession?
Bulgaria has magistrates who are most worthy of such a sacrifice barricade. They have simply to show up by proudly raising their head at the Altar of Justice. And then they shall see they are not alone at all and that there are many around to stand up by them. Because the Temple of Justice is one although the functions within are different.
March 2007
Braykov’s Legal Office