The nation seems to be heading for a fresh judicial and political uncertainty if the coalition government failed to implement the 'Bhurban Declaration' for reinstatement of the deposed judges within the stipulated deadline.
The leadership of the two major coalition parties - the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim league-Nawaz (PML-N) - had signed an accord at Murree on March 9. They vowed to reinstate around 60 deposed judges by passing a parliamentary resolution in the National Assembly within one month of the formation of the new government.
The Declaration was widely appreciated by all segments of society, terming it a sole solution to the burgeoning judicial crisis, which had started on March 9, 2007, when the then chief justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry was suspended by President Musharraf.
But, at present, the situation clearly indicates that on one hand, the time is running fast, and on the other, there are visible differences between the two major political parties over the implementation of the accord, particularly on the point of restoration of judges, including former chief justice Iftikhar Chaudhry.
The joint committee, formed by the two coalition partners for hammering out a mutual acceptable formula to implement the accord, has yet to come up with a solution. It is believed that restoration of judiciary sans Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry is the main hurdle in implementing the accord.
The PML-N, the second largest partner of the coalition government, has reiterated time and again to part its ways from the government if the PPP did not honour the Murree Declaration.
Alongside, the powerful legal fraternity, civil society, and political parties belonging to the All Parties Democratic Movement (APDM) had also given time to the new government to implement its accord in letter and spirit or face a countrywide anti-government movement against the removal of around 60 judges.
They have also warned the government of not accepting any proposed constitutional package, which could cause dropping out former chief justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry.
The former vice-president of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and a leading member of the lawyer-movement, former justice Tariq Mehmood on Sunday warned the government of marching towards Islamabad if it did not honour its Bhurban Declaration.
He also said that lawyers and civil society would re-launch an effective movement against the government soon after a lapse of the deadline as it seems to be reluctant in materialising the promised made with the nation.
He believes that decisions are still taking at GHQ whereas army is still backing President Musharraf for his undemocratic steps. Like past, he said, lawyers would march towards Islamabad and would paralyse the judicial process if all the deposed judges, including Iftikhar Chaudhry, were not reinstated to their November 2, 2007 position.
He opined that Presidency is taking advantage of the political disharmony between the two major political parties, saying to respect the mandate given in the February 18 elections.
A former parliamentarian and senior leader of Jamaat-e-Islami, Liaquat Baloch, said the APDM would join the legal fraternity to launch a fresh anti-government movement if all the judges were not restored.
He condemned the delay process in implementing the Murree Declaration, saying that Presidency is still active in destabilising the democratic process despite the fact that masses have given anti-dictator mandate.
Meanwhile, independent analysts are of the opinion that the country would be in serious judicial, political and economic crisis if the judicial crisis is not resolved in an acceptable manner to all.
They foresee that in case of applying any minus formula in the restoration of the deposed judges, the PML-N would join legal fraternity, civil society, and APDM parties to launch a fresh movement, which would further aggravate the crisis.
It is a fact that after February 18 elections, the suicide blasts and anti-government protests have drastically reduced. It is also believed that in case of any such fresh unrest in the country, the fragile national economy could further aggravate.
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