Which case is more important: Punishing the May 9 handlers or stopping the provision of e-bikes to students? This question is being discussed after the Lahore High Court (LHC) ordered the Punjab government to suspend giving electric bikes to students in easy installments. In the electric bikes’ case, this learned court was reported as having observed that students may gather outside girls’ colleges if given these bikes besides, they would resort to one-wheeling. The LHC made the lucky draw for these bikes liable upon further orders of the court seeking from the government the details of this project.
The court made these observations while hearing a case related to the elimination of smog in Punjab. The LHC directed the provincial government to suspend distributing e-bikes till further order of this court. The LHC also made the lucky draw for these bikes liable upon further orders. Expressing fears about the potential misuse of these bikes, Mr. Justice Shahid Karim of the LHC stressed that students should be encouraged to use public transport. He stressed the safety of students observing that colleges should be provided with electronic buses. This is the more suitable option for safety and mobility, he noted.
The Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz criticized this order of the court stating that the courts should not interfere in the matters executive and requested the court to revisit this order saying loitering outside girls’ colleges was not dependent on these bikes and that one wheeling with them at all was not possible. Now what happens about the provision of these bikes is something which time and this court will tell.
However, with regard to the courts and judicial system of the country, the most criticized matter was the May 9. A year ago, this day Pakistan witnessed incidents that its history never recorded before, but why not the handles, abettors, facilitators, and executioners of this nightmare were punished is a worrying question. It worries the public more when looked at how some political figures get instant relief from courts and come up every day with new petitions but the attackers of Pakistan were not punished despite one year has passed. It becomes more surprising when courts don’t leave matters like e-bikes and pictures on Kissan Card unheard. Why were they not awarded justice when irrefutable evidence was available?
Importantly this was the same group that had attacked the Parliament of Pakistan, the Supreme Court, and Pakistan Television earlier. Neither that time nor this time this group has been awarded exemplary punishment so far. Why is it so? The analysts believe that the answer to this question leads everyone to judicial corridors. Doesn’t it look in the given situation that there was a disagreement between the judicial and military establishments on May 9? This delay in punishments to May 9 handlers could be analyzed with different sides.
It could be viewed from this perspective that the judicial establishment might be wishing that the military establishment needs to go back also in a time when the Parliament and Supreme Court was attacked. The judges possibly be thinking on lines that everyone knows who was behind the 2014 sit-in. It looks close to the reality that if the handlers, abettors, facilitators and executioners of the said sit-in and the Faizabad Dharan were not used for personal purposes and were booked the same time, May 9 might not have happened. However, whatever the case is, all it leads to the weak judicial system of Pakistan. it looks so weak particularly when the tops courts hold a credit for hanging Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, ousting Nawaz Sharif of his legitimate government, and justified martial laws in Pakistan. However, with regard to May 9 the entire nation is united and has observed this day as a black day demanding that the responsible should be dealt under the law. This day is should not be an object of politics.
The President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari in his message on May 9 said that it will be remembered as a dark day in Pakistan’s history. It was a day when a politically instigated group challenged the nation’s patience and attacked the country’s property and military installations. “Unfortunate incidents severely tarnished the country’s image, which only served the interest of Pakistan’s enemies.” The President also emphasized that those responsible for the May 9 violence should be held accountable according to the law.
The Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif termed May 9 as “rebellion against Pakistan. The real aim of May 9 incidents was to end democracy in Pakistan and, God forbid, bury the Constitution, and a nefarious goal of establishing kingship of an individual.” The PM said adding “The impure plan of May 9 was not just a rebellion against Pakistan but against the state, the Pakistan Army, and army chief General Asim Munir.” He also said that it was unfortunate that the perpetrators of this day were still unpunished. Those given this responsibility couldn’t do it despite one yar has passed, the PM said.
The Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir ruled out any compromise with architects of the May 9 riots. He said “The country’s enemies were given the chance to mock the state and its people due to the “deplorable acts of criminally orchestrated violence on this day.” Those “gullible elements” who did not understand the real motive behind this “criminal enterprise” and were used as “cannon fodder” for the political ambitions of the masterminds have already been accorded benefit of the doubt on the direction of Supreme Court. he said leaders who present themselves as victims now will be held accountable for their actions, particularly when there is irrefutable evidence of their involvement available.
Importantly, the Army looks committed to bringing May 9 responsible to justice under the law of the land at any cost even if it had to go in 2014. Director General ISPR Lt. General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry addressing media on May 8 said that if a judicial is to be formed as demanded by the PTI then it should also start investigations from the 2014 sit-in. interestingly the PTI’s imprisoned founding chairman has also accepted investigations from the 2014 sit-in. The Pakistan Peoples’ Party also demands a judicial commission to investigate on May 9 stating that everyone should accept and obey the findings and recommendations of such commission.
If such commission would be dealt with like Hamoud-ur-Rehman Commission and many JITs then it will be of no use. Moreover, if investigations were to be started in 2014, Imran Khan and some military’s retired generals would be at stake. It looks like the Army is ready to go to any length to get May 9 responsible punished but without courts is a question. However, May 9 needs to be regarded beyond politics and everyone should think it before it is too late. It is mandatory for Pakistan and the sanctity of every state institution.
(Senior journalist Rana Kashif has authored this opinion)