Pakistan Supreme Court Contempt Hearing Against Imran Khan Reminiscent of McCarthy Era

RiazHaq

Senator (1k+ posts)
http://www.riazhaq.com/2013/08/is-imran-khan-presumed-guilty-by.html

"Have you no sense of decency, sir? At long last, have you left no sense of decency?" asked Joseph N. Welch in responding to the accusatory US Senator Joseph McCarthy in 1950s as part of the Army–McCarthy hearings.


The conduct of many ongoing hearings byPakistani Supreme Court reminds me of the McCarthy era which is still remembered in America as a shameful period of US history. It was characterized by an unrestrained Senator Joseph McCarthy who used his broad subpoena powers to order people to appear before the committee. The Senator and his colleagues then proceeded to insult and intimidate people who were presumed guilty of being communists by the committee.

McCarthy's victims included mostly innocent people from various walks of life including writers, authors, soldiers, journalists, government officials and politicians whose views were found to be unacceptable by the committee's rabidly anti-communist members. The committee's relentless pursuit of innocent victims began unravel with the questions asked by US Army counsel Joe Welch, a courageous man indeed.

Can Imran Khan be the man to do what Joe Welch did more than half century ago? Let's wait and see.

If Imran Khan does take a stand, he might find himself convicted of contempt of court and disqualified from holding any office for several years. However, Imran's defiance and punishment might actually help him divert attention from major governance failures in Khyber Pukhtunkhwa province. The most recent failure was a well-planned jailbreak by the Taliban of the Dera Ismail Khan. Hundreds of hard-core terrorists freed in the jailbreak will now swell the Taliban ranks who will mount even more devastating attacks on innocent civilians in KP and elsewhere. What is even more distrurbing is that the KP failed to act in spite of early intelligence report warning of the attack.

For now, it seems that Imran Khan and his colleagues in PTI have their heads in the sand and failing to own responsibility to fight the terrorists. It's huge failure of leadership on their part.

It's taken five years for Imran Khan to realize that Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry has become "controversial" after the Arsalan case. The fact is that the reference filed by President Musharraf against Justice Chaudhry was mainly about his abuse of office to assist his son Dr. Arsalan Iftikhar.

Since Justice Chaudhry's restoration, he has continued to protect his son's corruption while he has pursued suo moto cases against many he dislikes. He is an unelected and unaccountable judge who removed a duly elected prime minister from office in what is being called a judicial coup in Islamabad. In fact, it could be persuasively argued that the judiciary is now a bigger threat to democracy than the military.

Will it take another 5 years for Imran Khan to recognize the seriousness of the threat posed by the Taliban? It might be too late by then.

Some of Imran Khan's detractors have called him "Im the Dim" (naive and clueless) while others refer to him as "Taliban Khan" (allied with the Taliban). Only time will tell whether and which of these monikers fit the great Khan. It could be former, latter or neither.

http://www.riazhaq.com/2013/08/is-imran-khan-presumed-guilty-by.html


Here's a video discussion of these subjects:

 
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IhsanIlahi

Chief Minister (5k+ posts)
Agree with:
(It's taken five years for Imran Khan to realize that Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry has become "controversial" after the Arsalan case. The fact is that the reference filed by President Musharraf against Justice Chaudhry was mainly about his abuse of office to assist his son Dr. Arsalan Iftikhar.

Since Justice Chaudhry's restoration, he has continued to protect his son's corruption while he has pursued suo moto cases against many he dislikes. He is an unelected and unaccountable judge who removed a duly elected prime minister from office in what is being called a judicial coup in Islamabad. In fact, it could be persuasively argued that the judiciary is now a bigger threat to democracy than the military.)

Don't Agree with: That PTI has failed to combat terrorism.... because this terrorism is not just law and order issue.... its a war against a (minor or major whatever) sect of community.... many more such events to be happen until and unless Federal Govt, Military Leadership and Provincial Govt form a different and effective policy to deal it....
 
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tahirjkl

Voter (50+ posts)
bara hi balance program hay, aisy program bohat kam dekhnay ko miltay hain.

Bohat pasnd Aya , ke na to anchor nay kisi ki side lenay ki koshish ki na hi experts nay
 

RiazHaq

Senator (1k+ posts)

Don't Agree with: That PTI has failed to combat terrorism.... because this terrorism is not just law and order issue.... its a war against a (minor or major whatever) sect of community.... many more such events to be happen until and unless Federal Govt, Military Leadership and Provincial Govt form a different and effective policy to deal it....


Hundreds of hard-core terrorists freed in DI Khan jailbreak will now swell the Taliban ranks who will mount even more devastating attacks on innocent civilians in KP and elsewhere. What is even more disturbing is that the KP govt failed to act in spite of early intelligence report warning of the attack. http://www.riazhaq.com/2013/08/is-imran-khan-presumed-guilty-by.html
 

Nice2MU

President (40k+ posts)
یہ بابا ادھر بھی آگیا۔ یہ تو میرے خیال اپنی کوئی بلاگ بھی لکھتا ھے?۔


اگر آپ وھی بابا جو کہ شائد امریکہ یا کینیڈا میں رھتے ھیں تو میں صرف اتنا کہونگا کہ آپ کا علم بھی دھشتگردی تک اتنا ھی جتنا آخباروں میں آتا ھے جو کہ میرے خیال مین 50% سے زیادہ غلط ھے۔ آپکو زمینی حقائق کا کھک نہیں پتا۔ اسلیے آپ سے بحث کرنا ھی بیکار ھے۔
 

Naamdar

Banned
The writer's assertion is that most of the victims of McCarthyism were innocents. Now if you are comparing SC to the McCarthy senate committee, wouldn't it mean that all the previous 'victims' of supreme court were innocents , and the list inculdes Musharraf, Zardari, Gilani etc.
 

Naamdar

Banned
یہ بابا ادھر بھی آگیا۔ یہ تو میرے خیال اپنی کوئی بلاگ بھی لکھتا ھے?۔


اگر آپ وھی بابا جو کہ شائد امریکہ یا کینیڈا میں رھتے ھیں تو میں صرف اتنا کہونگا کہ آپ کا علم بھی دھشتگردی تک اتنا ھی جتنا آخباروں میں آتا ھے جو کہ میرے خیال مین 50% سے زیادہ غلط ھے۔ آپکو زمینی حقائق کا کھک نہیں پتا۔ اسلیے آپ سے بحث کرنا ھی بیکار ھے۔

آپ بھی کبھی 'زمینی حقایق ' پر کوئی بلاگ لکھ دیں . آخر ہمیں بھی تو پتا چلے کہ یہ حقایق ہیں کیا .
 

Sedqal

Chief Minister (5k+ posts)
Riz Haq are you for real? McCarthy's victims were in hundred and every dissenting voice was tagged. Your only enmity with courts come from the fact that they have stood for rule of law and nabbed Musharraf. For those who don't know Mr. Riz lives in US enjoying the full fruits of an established democracy. For his less fortunate brethren in Pakistan he suggests the opposite and firmly believes that they have not yet evolved enough for democracy thus need a strong man like Musharraf (or anyone in Khaki for that reason).

Better change you name to Zia ul Haq you backstabber.
 

IhsanIlahi

Chief Minister (5k+ posts)
Hundreds of hard-core terrorists freed in DI Khan jailbreak will now swell the Taliban ranks who will mount even more devastating attacks on innocent civilians in KP and elsewhere. What is even more disturbing is that the KP govt failed to act in spite of early intelligence report warning of the attack. http://www.riazhaq.com/2013/08/is-imran-khan-presumed-guilty-by.html


Mr.abc war is war..... jab tk war hai,,, yehi kuch hota rhy ga.... war is fought by state not provincial govts..... chalo unko pata bhi tha... to kia police in well trained terrorists ka muqabla karti ?????? Never.. sab ne apni jaan bachaye,,,, boht acha kiya.... Allah kary adyala jail ko bhi tory,,, attock jail ko bhi tory.... phir ap ko lag pata jaye ga....

Wesy srilanka team attack main provincial govt kis ki te????? lahore police training school attack main provincial govt kis ki te,,,,, tab ap gaaliya federal govt ko dety ty... to ab bhi dy na.....
 

Nice2MU

President (40k+ posts)
آپ بھی کبھی 'زمینی حقایق ' پر کوئی بلاگ لکھ دیں . آخر ہمیں بھی تو پتا چلے کہ یہ حقایق ہیں کیا .


I have written about these Ground realities more than one time, even once in the reply of this writer on his blog page as well, but no one is listening and repeating the same garbage spreaded by Newspapers
 

Naamdar

Banned
I have written about these Ground realities more than one time, even once in the reply of this writer on his blog page as well, but no one is listening and repeating the same garbage spreaded by Newspapers

Its interesting that you are rejecting everything and also calling it garbage. I am interested in seeing the truth that you wrote. Any links to your blog?
 

Nice2MU

President (40k+ posts)
Mr.abc war is war..... jab tk war hai,,, yehi kuch hota rhy ga.... war is fought by state not provincial govts..... chalo unko pata bhi tha... to kia police in well trained terrorists ka muqabla karti ?????? Never.. sab ne apni jaan bachaye,,,, boht acha kiya.... Allah kary adyala jail ko bhi tory,,, attock jail ko bhi tory.... phir ap ko lag pata jaye ga....

Wesy srilanka team attack main provincial govt kis ki te????? lahore police training school attack main provincial govt kis ki te,,,,, tab ap gaaliya federal govt ko dety ty... to ab bhi dy na.....


I give you a news about these people/ policemen who were on duty. Do you remember Bunnu Jail breaking? Yes, it had happened in ANP govt. and 145 policemen got suspension for sometime and later appointed the same 145 people on DI Khan Jail. Why? I don't know. So these policemen were the same culprits who were involved in Bunnu Jail breaking as well. It means that either the then govt. officials or these policemen by themselves were involved in these breakings. Or even both govt. and policemen were involved. That's why they didn't bother to fight. It was a inside job of Corruption.

These people must be thoroughly investigated and get a severe punishment for others to learn the lesson.

These people are there to criticise PTI only otherwise I didn't see so much criticism on ANP govt. while they were in their 4th years when Bunn Jail was broke. If ANP would punish those culprits, such thing wouldn't happened.
 
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desan

President (40k+ posts)
Riz Haq are you for real? McCarthy's victims were in hundred and every dissenting voice was tagged. Your only enmity with courts come from the fact that they have stood for rule of law and nabbed Musharraf. For those who don't know Mr. Riz lives in US enjoying the full fruits of an established democracy. For his less fortunate brethren in Pakistan he suggests the opposite and firmly believes that they have not yet evolved enough for democracy thus need a strong man like Musharraf (or anyone in Khaki for that reason).

Better change you name to Zia ul Haq you backstabber.

It is called SELECTIVE justice....


Justice should be blind, but
not the CJ!!!!
 

RiazHaq

Senator (1k+ posts)
Predictably, Mr. Chaudhry's fellow judges are trying to silence the accuser by initiating contempt proceedings against him, a favorite tool of the current serving judges of the highest court in Pakistan to chill dissent. Other Chaudhry supporters are in denial. They are crying "conspiracy" to try and absolve him of a very serious lapse.


Judge Chaudhry's failure to act when he first learned about his son's corruption charges has put a harsh spotlight on Pakistan's Supreme Court as an institution. It has put at risk the noble efforts of Mr. Chaudhry to rid Pakistan of corruption at the highest levels of government. What's most important now is to try and restore confidence in Pakistan's higher judiciary as an institution.


http://www.riazhaq.com/2012/06/chief-justice-iftikhar-chaudhry-should.html
 

RiazHaq

Senator (1k+ posts)
CJ Chaudhry follows his own biases and whims, not the constitution of Pakistan. He is corrupt PCO judge who turned against Musharraf only when he got caught abusing power to protect his incompetent and corrupt son who passed intermediate with a C grade, got into a medical school, and then got appointed and quickly promoted in govt jobs because of his father.


Arsalan+Iftikhar+Case.jpg



http://www.riazhaq.com/2012/06/chief-justice-iftikhar-chaudhry-should.html
 

AZulfi

MPA (400+ posts)
Agreed a very balanced programme
Although I support IK, I have always disagreed with him on two things

- Taliban war is not our war
- The judiciary is free and independent. The CJ was controversial from day 1 and recent events have vindicated Musharraf and I am not saying it merely because IK is on the receiving end now. Anyone (incl. IK) who believes that the judiciary is neutral & impartial is living in la la land
 

RiazHaq

Senator (1k+ posts)
Here's a News story on history of high-profile contempt of court cases in Pakistan:

...Let us briefly recap all the key incidents where some four Pakistani prime ministers, one caretaker premier, an army chief, dozens of judges, ministers, leaders of top political parties and influential business magnates etc have been guilty of earning the wrath of the apex court arbiters: Contempt proceedings against a sitting Prime Minister, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, were initiated in 1976 in the case filed by the National Awami Party (NAP), now called the Awami National Party (ANP). During the eventful 1970s, the National Awami Party was banned by the government and the decision was upheld by the courts of the time. However, Bhutto could not restrain himself from airing statements against the NAP, something that was not permissible in line with the court order. The late Abdul Wali Khan, father of the current Awami National Party Chief, Asfandyar Wali Khan, had then filed a contempt petition against Bhutto 37 years ago in 1976. Having entertained Wali Khan’s petition, the court had gone on to issue contempt notices to the prime minister of the time. However, no concrete evidences were found against Premier Bhutto and the notices were subsequently discharged. Pakistan’s former Army Chief, General Aslam Beg, was first charged with contempt of court on February 21, 1993. In a newspaper interview on February 4, 1993, General Beg had admitted that he had sent an emissary to the Supreme Court to warn the judges not to restore the National Assembly. The then Chief Justice Naseem Hassan Shah got infuriated over the former army chief’s interview and had held him for contempt. In this case, CJ Shah had remarked: “We are very sorry to hand over the defence of the country to a person who was so careless.” The court had finally convicted the retired General of contempt, but strangely did not give any judgment about the sentence. The same court even overturned its own decision after an appeal was filed. And finally on January 09, 1994, all proceedings against General Aslam Beg were dropped. The second time General Beg had to face a contempt charge was on March 8, 2012, when during the hearing of the 1996 Asghar Khan Case; his statement was termed contempt of court by the judges. During the proceedings on that date, Aslam Baig had submitted his rejoinder to the statement of the ex-Mehran Bank President, Younis Habib. Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhary-led Supreme court had expressed its ire over a paragraph of Baig’s statement and had termed it contempt of court. The chief justice had then asked Aslam Baig to tender an apology over that paragraph. Left with no other option, the former army chief had to seek pardon instantly and had to appeal for the deletion of that particular paragraph. General Beg was in court to reject ex-Mehran Bank President Younis Habib’s statement, which was submitted in the Supreme Court over the petition filed by Air Marshal (R) Asghar Khan. The statement was related to the alleged disbursement of money among the national politicians by the ISI to disrupt the general elections of 1990. Pakistan’s current Premier Nawaz Sharif had to appear personally before the Supreme Court on November 17, 1997, after a contempt notice was issued to him on recommendation of the then Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Sajjad Ali Shah. This was Sharif’s second stint in power..

http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-2-194503-Chronology-of-key-contempt-cases-in-Pakistan