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Gilani Ouster
An International Incident
Foreign media organizations raise questions about the Supreme Courts intentions after Yousaf Raza Gilanis sacking.
An International Incident
Foreign media organizations raise questions about the Supreme Courts intentions after Yousaf Raza Gilanis sacking.
Newsweek Pakistan | Posted on June 20, 2012.
How is the world reacting to the news of Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilanis ouster by the Supreme Court on Tuesday? Heres our round-up of the first drafts of history that have appeared in both the Western and regional press:
Political Instability Rises as Pakistani Court Ousts Premier
The New York Times
The true target of Justice Chaudhrys order, though, may have been President Zardari. The two men have been at odds since 2009, when Mr. Zardari opposed Justice Chaudhrys reinstatement. They have engaged in proxy combat through the courts ever since; indeed, Mr. Gilanis dismissal stemmed directly from his refusal to heed court orders to pursue a corruption inquiry against the president.
Pakistan High Court Ousts Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani
Los Angeles Times
Though Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry is revered in Pakistan as a bulwark against corruption, many experts believe his pursuit of the graft case against Zardari may be more of a political vendetta than a legal crusade. Their feud dates back to Zardaris first weeks in office in 2008, when he resisted reinstating Chaudhry as chief justice. Zardari feared that Chaudhry would revive corruption charges that had dogged the Pakistani leader for years. Once reinstated, Chaudhry did exactly that.
Pakistan Premier Gilani Ousted From Office by Top Court
The Washington Post
The prospect of government upheaval in Pakistan threatens to complicate U.S. goals in neighboring Afghanistan. For months, Pakistan has blocked NATO supplies from passing through its territory into Afghanistan. Pakistans domestic troubles could distract attention from the Obama administrations attempts to negotiate a reopening of the border and to earn greater Pakistani cooperation in negotiating with the Taliban.
Islamabads Judicial Coup
The Wall Street Journal
Having stepped in to overthrow so many civilian Presidents, the judiciary and military view coups as their prerogative and even duty. If theres a silver lining, its that this time democratically elected leaders managed to stay in power for an impressive four yearsMr. Gilani is already the longest-serving civilian Prime Minister in Pakistan's historyand the coup-makers felt constrained by public revulsion at a return to military rule. Nevertheless, the self-anointed defenders of Pakistans interests have again succeeded in crippling Pakistans democracy. Mr. Zardari and Mr. Gilani may fairly be accused of bungled leadership and inept policy making. But Pakistan will never reach political maturity until democratic governments are allowed to serve out their terms at the pleasure of the people, not unelected elites.
Court Forces Pakistani PM Out of Office
Financial Times
Western diplomats warned that Mr. Gilanis departure could expose Pakistan to a new round of instability at a time when the country is locked in a dispute with the U.S. over the future of a land supply route to Afghanistan. In the past week, angry public protests have also widened across the country over chronic electricity shortages of several hours a day. Pakistan must go to elections in the spring of 2013, but political analysts said that the precedent of the court forcing Mr. Gilani out had weakened the evolution of the countrys parliamentary democracy.
Political Crisis Grips Pakistan After Court Disqualifies Prime Minister
The Independent
The upheaval will do little to help Pakistan as it continues to confront challenges on a number of fronts, including its difficult relationship with the U.S. and debilitating power shortages that have pushed thousands of angry protesters onto the streets. Some areas of the country are suffering without power for up to 18 hours a day. Some analysts believe the turmoil could bring forward a general election, which has to be held before next spring.
Pakistans Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani Disqualified By Supreme Court
The Guardian
The legal drama adds to political uncertainty at a time when the government can ill afford to be distracted from a dizzying array of crises, including widespread unrest over electricity shortages and Pakistan's deeply distrustful relationship with the U.S.
Supreme Court Strips Gilani of Prime Ministership
The Hindu
The disqualification brought into sharp focus the clash between the judiciary and the government that began in 2009 when the Supreme Court annulled an amnesty on corruption cases granted by the previous Musharraf regime. President Asif Ali Zardari was the most important beneficiary of the amnesty.
Pak SC Disqualifies Gilani From PMs Post on Contempt Charges And Manmohan Thought He Had it Tough
India Today
Despite enjoying the support of lawyers across the country, the Chief Justice has been accused by legal experts of acting in a biased manner against the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party and especially President Zardari.
Pakistans Judicial Coup
The Daily Beast
There are very few good guys in Pakistani politics, only worse and the less-worse. The Supreme Court has dismissed the prime minister for refusing to press corruption charges against the president. And yes, very likely the president is corrupt, and the prime minister venal. But the Supreme Court is corrupt too! And in cahoots with the militarists and the Islamists! So it's hard to choose sides.
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