New Pakistan Government Expected to Move to Reinstate Judges
By Jane Clark
April 21, 2008 | Printer Friendly

As reported in the New York Times, the new government in Pakistan plans to present a parliamentary resolution in the coming days calling for the reinstatement of 60 judges who were fired when President Pervez Musharraf declared emergency rule in November.  The coalition government, comprised of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N), pledged to reinstate the judges within 30 days of taking office.  According to Daily News and Analysis, they will meet today to finalize the resolution and hope that it will be adopted by Friday.  The resolution would declare the removal null and void, and if passed they would be reinstated with an executive order.

The New York Times writes that the plans to reinstate the judges have captured widespread attention, because their return could have an impact on Musharraf’s political survival.  Nawaz Sharif of the PML-N has been pushing to have Musharraf removed from office and sees the judges as being a vital part of the process.  Yousaf Gillani, the newly elected Prime Minister, has been more moderate and has stated that the government will not rush to impeach Musharraf.

The Daily Times, a Pakistani news source, questions whether the judges can actually be reinstated in thirty days as promised.  The passage of a parliamentary resolution is mostly symbolic, so the executive order is required to put it into practice.  Even if the resolution requires the government to reinstate the judges, the final decision still rests with the federal cabinet, and there is no guarantee that this decision will be made quickly.  However, it is still widely viewed as an important action.  A PML-N leader is quoted as saying that the move for the restoration of the judges will be a real test of the future of the coalition government, and that they must not compromise their position.  Further, there is a need for judicial reforms and a balance of power, which cannot be accomplished until the issue of the judges is settled.

Links:

New York Times: Pakistani Parliament Will Consider Reinstating Judges Dismissed by Musharraf

DNA India: Sacked Pakistan Judges Set to Be Reinstated This Week
 
Daily Times: Judges' Restoration Not Likely by 30th