The ongoing political developments in Pakistan are likely to gain more prominence as the country approaches general elections in a few weeks’ time. How the judiciary and the caretaker administration deals with contentious politicians from different political camps will be closely monitored at home and abroad. Similarly, the case of former president Pervez Musharraf can impact public perception of neutrality of Pakistan’s judiciary. While no one should forget the judiciary’s historic role in opposing Musharraf’s excesses during his nearly decade-long rule, on the same token, the judiciary is expected to deal with his case objectively. This is why the Supreme Court Chief Justice, Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, who was the chief target in Musharraf’s tussle with the judiciary in 2007, distanced himself from the judges’ panel that was formed to look into the cases facing the former president.
In this regard, Musharraf’s dramatic exit from Islamabad High Court yesterday, following the rejection of his extension of bail in the judges’ detention case — in which he is a proclaimed offender — does not go down well with his stature of a former president. If one accepts a bail, one has to deal with its denial also — gracefully. No one is above the law and Musharraf should abide by submitting to it rather than asking his security guards to whisk him out of the court. There are other alternatives such as protective bail and this is something the chief coordinator of his party, the All Pakistan Muslim League, intends to obtain.
People in Pakistan expect and deserve good governance and rule of law. The judiciary and an independent election commission are two important institutions that can help strengthen order and ensure that public choices are reflected in the polls. Moreover, the caretaker government must ensure impartiality of all state institutions at this critical juncture, when there is already high tension in view of the sharp rise in attacks on politicians. The country is facing serious security and economic challenges and it is important that everyone, including government officials and politicians, shares responsibility in meeting these challenges.
