Hi, How Can We Help You?

Blog

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 (Ivan Grigorov)? 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                                                                                                        Valentin Braykov 

                                                                                                                            Braykov’s Legal Office

===============================================================================================

EPILOGUE – JANUARY 2020
13 YEARS LATER

As you can see from the above text, the dismissal of the Chairman of the Supreme Court of Pakistan in March 2007 was by order of the President at this time Pervez Musharraf. The latter has been out of power since 2008, fell out of favor, political and legal prosecution were launched against him, culminating on December 17, 2019 in a death sentence by a Special Court in Islamabad for illegally suspending the constitution during 2007. However, on 13th January 2020, the Pakistan Supreme Court in Lahore declared the death sentence against 76-year-old Pervez Musharraf absolutely void. General Musharraf is a free and unconvicted man again. The Supreme Judges of Pakistan sees the grounds for voidness in the unlawful constitution of The Special Court, the selection of a prosecuting team and in the subject of the complaint against himself, grown into an accusation.

However, the most curious is below the surface. If you take a look at my text since 2007 – General Musharraf is released / rescued by the same Supreme Court which Chairman – Ihtivar Mohammed Chodhri – General Musharraf then tries to fire. On the streets’ barricades then went out judges dressed in their black coats, lawyers, Media and TV channels, intellectuals. As a result, the Chief Justice Chodhry kept his position.

Now, in 2020, the same Supreme Court refuses to take revenge of its executioner since 2007 Gen. Musharraf and releases him / saves him for the holiness of law and justice!

This contemporary tale is worthy of a biblical story. The Honor and Dignity of the Judge are the Honor and Dignity of the State.

14th January 2020                                                                                      Valentin Braykov