Pakistan going to pot

You —

May aswell have a new topic on this. it sort of continues from the discussion in the sri lankan cricketers attacked topic.

Watch the video on BBC News, and near the end, how can that ever be a respected form of protest?

Smashing up random buses vehicles is I would think not a good thing. and the owners there would not always be wealthy people who can repair them.

As for the people in the rest of the video, I doubt they were paid to be there. They are there of their own accord. rooting for a corrupt politician.

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Beast — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 - 18:57

YouSmashing up random buses vehicles is I would think not a good thing. and the owners there would not always be wealthy people who can repair them.

Those buses weren't just any buses. They were parked in a row to block the road.

It's no surprise that the protesters would smash them up.

If they were just private property, then the protesters would have hired them out to take to Islamabad.

You — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 - 19:04

I did not realise that, so they were probably government owned?

Still vandalism, but not "as wrong" as my initial reaction then.

Beast — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 - 19:11

What has been more wrong is the smashing up of protesters that the police have been doing.

etc etc

You — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 - 19:27

Difference is the police are paid to do that.

wait.. that's also wrong isn't it?

Beast — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 - 19:34

Well all these wrongs are about to make a right.

Pakistani PM will soon address the nation (I love that phrase).

You — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 - 19:36

Keep us posted. let's see what he has to say.

"I hand myself into the authorities to be charged for the crimes I have committed and I also want the others to be charged for their crimes."

I doubt we will get that...

(I hear that Zardariu recently scrapped the "National Security Council"... was that just a big name or really something important?)

Beast — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 - 19:43

(I hear that Zardariu recently scrapped the "National Security Council"... was that just a big name or really something important?)

I think that was the mechanism through which Musharraf kept the army involved in political affairs.

By scrapping it Zardari seems to have made the army unhappy. The head of the army, General Kiyani, is the person who is pressuring Zaradri to make concessions to the lawyers and Nawaz Sharif.

Beast — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 - 22:25

Pakistan 'to restore chief justice'

Pakistan's government is expected to announce the reinstatement of the country's chief justice sacked by Pervez Musharraf, the former president, in an apparent bid to avert a political crisis.

Reports say Yusuf Reza Gilani, the prime minister, would make the formal announcement when he addresses the nation early on Monday.

Al Jazeera

You — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 - 23:00

Does that mean anything?

He is but one person. restoring him is just divide and conquer - divide the opposition. the lawyers movement and the Nawaz group and then fight just the Nawaz group.

Saying that, atleast there may be short term good from this. (and then lets hope he decides to bit the hand(s) that f(re)ed him and get proper justice.)

You — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 - 03:27

One crisis averted it seems:

Pakistan reinstates sacked judge

akistan's government has said a sacked Supreme Court chief justice will be reinstated, prompting the opposition to call off a major rally in the capital.

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said Iftikhar Chaudhry would resume his old post later in March.

Opposition leader Nawaz Sharif had joined campaigning lawyers in demanding the judge's reinstatement.

Announcing that the march on Islamabad had been called off, Mr Sharif urged supporters to celebrate "with dignity".

Mr Gilani said Mr Chaudry would resume his post following the resignation of the current Chief Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar on 21 March.

"I announce the restoration of all deposed judges including Mr Iftikhar Chaudhry," PM Yousaf Raza Gilani said.

read more @ BBC News

I wonder what will happen to the oldewr chief justice? retirement?

Beast — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 - 18:17

YouDoes that mean anything?

He is but one person. restoring him is just divide and conquer - divide the opposition. the lawyers movement and the Nawaz group and then fight just the Nawaz group.

Saying that, atleast there may be short term good from this. (and then lets hope he decides to bit the hand(s) that f(re)ed him and get proper justice.)

Iftikhar Choudhry might just be one man but the campaign behind him has been unprecedented.

People in Pakistan have demonstrated for two years on a point of principle - that no-one is above the law.

Hopefully this has awoken a streak in Pakistani society that will push for further civic reforms.

BTW, On occasions like this there's usually loads of pics of Pakistanis stuffing each others faces with sweets. But this time I could only find 1.

You — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 - 20:35

Pakistan orders Sharif ban review

Pakistan's government has asked the Supreme Court to review a ruling that bans former PM Nawaz Sharif and his brother from holding elected office.

The ban on Nawaz and Shahbaz Sharif had added to recent political turmoil.

Their Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party had joined forces with lawyers to demand the reinstatement of sacked chief justice Iftikhar Chaudhry.

The protest ended when the government agreed to restore the judge and to look again at the ruling on the Sharifs.

Dispelling mistrust

The Supreme Court had upheld a lower court ruling banning the Sharifs. That meant Shahbaz Sharif had to step down as chief minister of Punjab province - a PML-N stronghold.

The government then imposed federal rule.

"We have requested the court to review the order in the interest of constitutionalism and the rule of law," Attorney General Latif Khosa said, adding that the government hoped the court would begin its review on Friday.

Read more @ BBC News