Omama.’s Reviews > A History of the Judiciary in Pakistan > Status Update

The Years 2007-08, Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry: Suspended, Sacked & Restored. His suspension started with Musharraf’s orders; it has to be done for the COAS, as the CJ was interfering too much with the cases of public & political significance. This era also witnessed one of the biggest movement for the restoration of Judiciary, by the relentless struggle of the lawyers.

June 2005- March 2007, a difficult balancing act under the Iftikhar Muhammad Chudhry Court, who came into limelight for using suo motu powers in matters which he believed injustices had occurred. He took up many cases involving violations of human rights as well as other cases of political & public importance.

2003-2005, face of a spineless judiciary under Nazim Hussain Siddiqui. There are fee important constitutional cases decided by the Nazim Court because many felt there was no point in taking any constitutional cases to a Supreme Court that had become completely spineless.

2002-03, judiciary submerged in corruption under Sheikh Riaz Ahmed. It is a puzzle as to why persons like him become necessary to governments in Pak. Why do govt. of different - rather - opposing, political parties need the services of such persons? The shortcomings of such people & their lack of character reflect adversely on the overall character of the government in Pakistan.

Riaz becoming the CJ of Pakistan, & Irshad the CEC, both keen to be available for service for Musharraf, offered a gloomy prospect for Pakistan.It was a lethal combination,meant to promote the military dictator at the expense of the nation.Riaz was even worse than Irshad, since, he at least outwardly tried to project a facade of the independence of the judiciary & the protection of the fundamental rights of citizens

2000-2002, the usurper Chief Justice, Irshad Hasan Khan, who betrayed CJ Siddiqui, colluded with Musharraf & connivingly manipulated his way into the top post, being opportunistic. It has also been discussed in detail how he manipulated his appointment as Chief Election Commissioner after his retirement. Though he was an intelligent & sharp man, his weakness of character overshadowed any redeeming qualities as a man.

1999-2000, the deposed Chief Justice, Saeeduzzaman Siddiqui, who only got to be CJ for 6 months, and had to bear the brunt of 99's coup. The one mistake he did was not confronting Musharraf's coup right away & allowing him to settle down & make inroads amongst the judges of SC. He had to pay dearly for this indecisive approach...

1997-1999, the judiciary recovers partially under the Ajmal Court. The author seems very much in awe of Ajmal Mian, as a man & a Judge. He had 1 & 1/2 years to clean up some of the mess of Sajjad Ali Shah, which he left behind for the Judiciary.

1993-94, the period of activist court of Nasim Hasan Shah, which wasn’t a significant & impactful period as he was CJ for less than a year.

1990-1993, years of confusion, under the Afzal Zullah Court, which denotes the composition of supreme court & high courts, and the important cases decided by the Zullah Court. The important aspect of this period is the contempt of the court committed by Gen.Aslam Beg.