PANA Convention Supports
Judiciary and Democracy in Pakistan
The Pakistan American National Alliance
(PANA) unanimously adopted a resolution in support of judiciary
and democracy in Pakistan at its US-wide convention in Springfield,
VA on Saturday, April 21, 07.
The resolution stated:
We, the delegates to the PANA US-wide Convention, are deeply
concerned about the systematic undermining of the Pakistani
judiciary by Gen Musharraf who had seized power in a coup
in October, 1999.
According to all of Pakistan 's High Court and Supreme Court
bar associations, Gen Musharraf, who is seeking “reelection”
later this year, has unconstitutionally suspended the Chief
Justice of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. An independent
Supreme Court was the only potential check on Musharraf's
arbitrary rule.
We therefore 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 all 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 he has 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. In compliance with the Article 43 of the Constitution***,
Gen Musharraf must either shed his uniform or vacate the
office of the president.
6. Gen Musharraf must ask to the Supreme Court to decide
whether or not he can get himself elected by the current
assemblies.
7. The Musharraf regime must stop kidnapping Pakistani citizens
on behalf of foreign agencies and it must leave complete
information about those previously kidnapped. It must also
seek release of those illegally arrested and deported to
undisclosed destinations.
8. All political detainees – prisoners of conscience
– must be immediately freed.
[***43. Conditions of President's office. -(1) The President
shall not hold any office of profit in the service of Pakistan
or occupy any other position carrying the right to remuneration
for the rendering of services.]
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