PANA Demands Compliance
with Constitution
The Pakistan American National Alliance
(PANA), a coalition of Pakistani American organizations,
held a rally June 1, 2007 in New York and has sent this
resolution to General Pervaiz Musharraf through the Consul
General of Pakistan in New York .
The resolution was adopted and handed over to the Consul
General after the protest rally outside the Consulate in
New York. It was attended by close to 150 Pakistani-American
pro-democracy activists. Several pro democracy political
party leaders from ANP, PPP and PML(N) also participated
in the rally.
The rally was organized by PANA to protest the MAy 12 Karachi
massacre. It demanded an independent inquiry, restoration
of the 1973 Constitution, restoration of Chief Justice of
Pakistan and end of military dictatorship by by way of free
elections conducted by an independent election commission
and monitored by international civic NGOs.
Following is the letter sent to General Pervaiz Musharraf.
General Pervaiz Musharraf
Army House
Rawalpindi, Pakistan
C / O Pakistan Consulate New York
New York, New York
Dear Gen. Pervaiz Musharraf,
The Pakistan-American National Alliance (hereafter, PANA)
is a US-wide coalition of Pakistani-American organizations.
Its mission is to coordinate the autonomous activities of
its member organizations to achieve common goals conceived
for the collective good of Pakistan and Pakistani-Americans.
We are sending you this PANA resolution for your solemn
contemplation and immediate action to rectify the rapidly-deepening
crisis caused by the unconstitutional suspension of Chief
Justice of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, wanton carnage
of May 12 in Karachi , increasing harassment of the media,
and utter unwillingness to accommodate civil society’s
genuine concerns.
We Pakistani-Americans see the massacre in Karachi on May
12, 2007 as undeniable proof of government’s failure.
If the writ of the state was made to fail by design then
the government is a co-conspirator in these murders, if
it happened despite its best efforts then it is guilty of
enormous incompetence, and if came about due to lack of
preparation then it is a case of criminal negligence.
The tragedy of May 12, 2007 Karachi Massacre is unbearable
and unforgivable. An independent, judicial commission of
inquiry must be immediately created to find and punish the
guilty. In a recent letter to the Acting Chief Justice of
Pakistan, we have urged him to conduct a suo moto inquiry
of May 12 mayhem, killings and destruction in Karachi .
Why are you not asking for the same?
As concerned Pakistani-Americans we demand:
1. The important juridical and institutional separation
between the Supreme Court and the Supreme Judicial Council
must not be abridged.
2. Gen Musharraf must acknowledge, recognize and respect
Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry as the Chief Justice
of the Supreme Court of Pakistan with full power and authority
till a verdict is reached by the Supreme Judicial Council.
3. Gen Musharraf and his government colleagues must immediately
stop meddling with the Supreme Judicial Council’s
deliberation which they are doing by making public statements
about the reference prejudicial to a fair and impartial
outcome.
4. As Gen Musharraf had apologized to the Geo TV for ransacking
of their premises by the police, Gen Musharraf must also
apologize to the Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry
for summoning him to the Army House, pressuring him to resign,
holding him against his will, and later placing him under
house arrest. He must also apologize for mistreatment and
manhandling of the Chief Justice by the police.
5. The 1973 Constitution as on 12th October 1999 before
the military coup shall be restored. However, the next democratically
elected parliament must retain the new provisions pertaining
to joint electorate, minorities and women’s reserved
seats, and the lowering of the voting age.
6. The overthrowing of elected government should be declared
a crime – a capital offense - under Article 6 of the
Constitution of Pakistan.
7. Formation and working of an independent, autonomous,
and impartial Election Commission should be enshrined and
guaranteed through a constitutional amendment.
In compliance with the Article 43 of the Constitution, Gen
Musharraf must either shed his uniform or vacate the office
of the president.
9. The Musharraf regime must stop kidnapping Pakistani citizens
on behalf of foreign agencies and it must disclose complete
information about those previously kidnapped. It must also
seek release of those illegally arrested and deported to
undisclosed destinations.
10. All political detainees – prisoners of conscience
– must be immediately freed.
We sincerely hope that you
will be willing to read the writing on the wall of history,
correct the wrongs, comply with the Constitution of Pakistan,
respect the independence of judiciary, value the freedom
of the press, and restore the autonomy of the legislature.
Sincerely,
Muhammad Ashraf Toor
Coordinator
Pakistan American National Alliance
June 1st, 2007
Members of the Pakistan American National Alliance (PANA)
include:
1. Coalition of Pakistani Organizations of Chicago (COPOC)
2. Indus Society (IS)
3. Pakistani American Christian Association of Chicago (PACAC)
4. Pakistan American Council of Texas (PACT)
5. Pakistani-American Democratic Dialogue (PADD)
6. Pakistan American Democratic Forum (PADF)
7. Pakistan Association of Riverside (PAR)
8. Pakistan Cultural Association of New Orleans (PCANO)
9. Pakistan USA Freedom Forum (PUFF)
10. Pakistan League of America (PLA)
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