Lift Martial Law from Pakistan

Pakistan once again derailed from its political path when Mr. Musharraf imposed emergency rule, replaced the prominent judiciary personals, detained them in solitary confinement, cuts communications, suspended the 1973 constitution while issued the new PCO on 04 November, 2007.

Virtually it was undeclared Martial Martial Law. The first coup was staged by the then Army chief on 12 Oct, 1999 and 7 point agenda was televised before the nation. No significant achievement was made in this direction. During this period the country was plunged in to political and economic turmoil. Law and order situation was ever worsen during this period. The drama of his second coup was staged to reassert his flagging authority, a response to the imminent judiciary verdict against his candidature and suitability of Presidential candidate.

Immediately after issuing the PCO the Chief justice Of Pakistan Iftikhar Mohammad Choudhary and his other colleagues were detained firstly in the supreme court vicinity and later on were house arrested till today. A 7 member bench under the chair of Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad choudhary has already dismissed the PCO ordering all the Govt functionaries and Military not to comply with it. Among other detainees the prominent lawyer and newly elected President of Supreme Bar Council was Ch. Aitzaz Ahsan. There are reports that he was ill treated by the authorities. While reasserting his authority after the coup the media was the next target after judiciary.

More than 50 local TV channels are closed under new order and there is a complete blackout situation in Pakistan. The prominent channels like Geo, CNN and Aljazria are off the air since imposition of emergency in Pakistan. It is a common thinking that the General Musharraf has ruled the country for 8 years and by staging second coup he himself has labelled the charge sheet for entire of his rule since 12 Oct, 1999. The senior figures in the Pakistan military are not happy on his new move. Historically the coup in Pakistan have always been against unpopular rulers and supported by the whole military chain of command.

Now it was a different story and cannot be defended by military for a much longer period. The move was also embarrassing for for USA whose Secretary of State had publicly urged Musharraf not to declare emergency. Britons foreign secretary David Miliband has urged in a message that all friends of Pakistan will be concerned by the turn of events today. He further urged that we recognise the threat to peace and security faced by the country, but its future rests on harnessing the power of democracy and the rule of Law.

The wide spread International community has raised his fears about the future of Pakistan while certain reports were already published showing concern as Pakistan a failed State. Being a very loyal Pakistani while sitting abroad we are very dismayed and want our country back to 1973 constitution, we want reinstatement of all the judges as was on 3rd Nov,2007, we want top military leadership should respect the decisions of Judiciary, allow the freedom of movement and speech, free press and electronic media and stop further breakdown of Pakistan's battered state institutions.

With this petition we still hope that our Generals are still loyal to their country and towards their Oath where they sworn in by Allah not to involve in politics and this is the only resort if they feel can save our country. The imposition of Martial law declared by them should with draw by them.

People of Pakistan still can forget the old harsh memories of Martial law era and can work in hand to hand with Pakistan Army. This will be the most favourable gesture and justice to Pakistan for the people of Pakistan.

Mohammad Safdar Malik (Manchester UK)