Judicial victory

For the first time in Pakistan’s chequered history, the Supreme Court redeemed itself by standing up to a dictator and restoring its Chief Justice. The full court decision that sent the whole country in jubilations was the culmination of a four-month long but tough struggle that also saw the closing of ranks among the otherwise diverse ideologies.  The Friday judgment was also an expression of ‘no-confidence’ in the policies of Gen. Pervaiz Musharraf who had–and still has–the delusion of being the most popular leader in the country.

The Supreme Court decision would go a long way in realigning the different power centers in the country. No dictator, both civil or military, would in future dare to take the apex court’s seal of approval for granted. From now on every decision, whether at the top level or lower level, would be taken by keeping the judiciary in mind. The change that this decision has brought would percolate down to the lower courts where majority of the litigation takes place.