Just going through the archives of ad history when up popped this Steve Jobs speech from 1984 - the year Apple shattered the IBM legend with a single ad. Just watching this man's enthusiasm makes the hair on the nape of my neck stand up!
Enjoy!
E-mail: nextbyramla AT gmail.com
This is the third in a series of posts about The Secret - 1 & 2 here.
What is The Secret/Law of Attraction?
Humans can create what they want.
More here
What is more important than The Secret?
"The End" - that is, what we want to do with the Law of Attraction. Which is only a method, though very powerful.
More here
Recap: Be Careful What You Wish For
a. To use the Law of Attraction, we have to want something. In fact, when we want something, the law of attraction automatically sets to work; whether we know or not.
b. Want the right thing. Because the law of attraction has consequences.
c. Prepare yourself to be the kind of person who wants the right thing, naturally...
d. ...So that when the not-so-secret law of attraction sets in motion, you can be sure that you get the thing you most wanted, and...
e. ...it was for the greater good.
Q: How Do I Prepare Myself?
A: Four Steps to Preparedness
I first called them the four steps to "enlightenment" for want of a more apt word. In this context, "preparedness" may be a better word.
To prepare yourself to be the person who naturally wants the right, good thing - and therefore sets the Law of Attraction to work for the better of all humankind (and so, yourself), these are the four steps, in this order:
This is the second in a series of posts about The Secret.
What is The Secret?
Humans can create what they want.
More Important than The Secret...
...is knowing what to do with it: "The End." The Secret is only a method. A means. A strategy. A "How?"
The End is the "What?"
Beyond The Secret: at The End of Individual Paths
I believe in what I call "the theory of individual paths." A revolutionary manifesto for humankind, the Qur'an says:
And to you have We revealed the Scripture with the truth, confirming whatever Scripture was before it, and a watcher over it. So judge between them by that which Allah has revealed, and follow not their desires away from the truth which hath come to you. For each We have appointed a divine law and a traced-out way. Had Allah willed Hu could have made you one community. But that Hu may try you by that which Hu has given you (Hu has made you as you are). So vie one with another in good works. To Allah you will all return, and Hu will then inform you of that wherein you differ.
A Pickthall translation, with my emphases and modifications of the pronouns, esp. "He" to "Hu" (005.048)
"The Secret."
"The Law of Attraction."
The knowledge of the ancients.
What all great people knew.
This one thought with its many names has been making the rounds for quite a few months now, since the release of the movie Law of Attraction.
Very simply put, here is the secret:
Humans can create what they want.It's called a law of Attraction because once a human decides what they want, they start attracting the required resources and situations. The Wikipedia summary of the idea is more enlightening:
You are what your deep, driving desire is.
As your desire is, so is your will.
As your will is, so is your deed.
As your deed is, so is your destiny.
Where is this Secret? Hint: You'll have to Look
Longer live the Green Turtle of Karachi!
In a series of bans on thin, bio-hazardous plastics bags that is spreading across Asia, the City District Government Karachi's ban is the latest. In late February, the Karachi City Administrator Syed Mustufa Kamal urged town and union councils to create awareness amongst residents of the city before the government clamped down on businesses.
However, news these days are best received through word-of-mouth despite the large ads the government has been placing in national newspapers - I got this one on the right from the leading Urdu daily Jang. And so, it was our milkman who informed us that he will no longer be serving milk in infamous thin plastic bags. We have to get utensils.
Then yesterday, I went to the bakery to do my usual large shopping - and wasn't the only one who had to lap up her purchase like a baby... they told us to remember to brings bags from home.
My environmental-conscious mother is delighted - and I am glad, too, that our government has taken the ban seriously. In Pakistan, we tend to buy from small shops around the corner, and in the past two days, all shopkeepers denied us plastic bags. A medical store owner informed me that shops have been fined since March 15th, 2007, as promised in the ad above.
Not all plastic bags have been banned, only those less than 30-microns thick. These are not bio-degradable. Which means they don't "melt, evaporate, break down into other substances nor can be converted into other stuff." In ecology, everything must come from something, and then become something after being used, or we will be stuck with stuff. This is called an ecological cycle (and see carbon cycle too, here, another).
All natural things become something else upon birth and death. Humans, however, have created some stuff which gets stuck, because it does not break down ("degrade") into something useful. Such as, thin plastic. That's why governments across the world are taking swift action to ban this stuff. States as far apart as South Africa (2003) and India (selected states, 2005, etc.) have banned bad plastic.
Bio-stuck plastic has been killing the marine life of Karachi, especially the famous Green Turtles (WWF page here) who choke on bad plastic.
So. Get a cloth tote. DON'T rely on paper - because sometimes producing paper uses more energy than producing plastic. Save the planet, one shopping trip at a time!
Photo credit:
Top: Karachi City Government ad reproduced in good faith.
Bottom: By Hemanshu Kumar @ Flickr. May not be reproduced for commercial uses.
E-mail: nextbyramla AT gmail.com
Young. New. Joyous. Communicative. Fresh. Clean. Natural. Green.
Green is the new blue; that is, it's the color of the age. Green represents freshness, new-ness, hope, and the natural life around us. I also see a sense of giving and "equality" in this color as it symbolizes Nature - serving, giving, equal productive or destructive without prejudice.
Politically, Green is an important color in 2007: with a growing concern for ecological imbalances, and the need to manage the humanity's environmental behavior, Green has risen to become not just a color, but a concept that represents the attitude of a younger generation that cares.
NEXT> thinks that Green symbolizes all that is immediately ahead of us; the critical factors that will decide the fate of humankind. And NEXT> has a self-pledge to bring the best of the future to the present in a responsible fashion - to create hope, to advocate what really matters, to change beliefs and premises where they must. So, the look & feel of NEXT> by Ramla has been greened up! (Yes I know I am still a horrid designer, but Blogger just doesn't load in Pak and I'm having trouble accessing Blogger.)
The very busy photo on the top is from the Haramosh Valley in Pakistan where I trekked in search of wisdom and "fresh". It's a place that educated me about the origins of society and the nature of people. It also made me feel very strongly about the importance of respecting all people, our environment, and nurturing the development of society and self. And the whole experience was summed up in the shades of green that is the future. And now, it's my concept, my philosophy - one that I wish to share with all...
From NEXT> to a greener future!
Adil Najam, Awab Alvi, Hakim, and Ramla (i.e. myself) - four Pakistani bloggers - four different blogs - three different time zones... all invited together - by Muntazir Solangi of Voice of America's Radio App ki Duniya to discuss -
1. What IS a blog?
2. It is a tool to express frustration - only? What is a blog NOT?
3. Can blogs truly be banned?
4. Do blogs report original stories - or merely repeat primary sources?
5. How have the four blogs covered the Chief Justice story?
6. What is the impact of blogs?
Log in to UrduVOA.com at Pakistan time 10:00 P.M. on Saturday, March 17, 2007. Check out Radio Aap Ki Duniya, and listen to radio online... you will catch four Pakistani bloggers talking about blogging and the Chief Justice suspension story. The bloggers are:
Adil Najam of Pakistaniat.com
Dr. Awab of Teeth Maestro
Hakim of MicroPakistan
and Ramla A. (me!) of NEXT> by Ramla
Muntazir Solangi of the Wasi Zafar interview fame is the host.
The aftermath of the suspension of the Chief Justice of Pakistan is getting complicated. It's a free-for-all for the police, the government, the bar councils of the country, media, politicians and anyone's aunt.
Current situation:
1. Fighting on the streets of Islamabad; tear-gassing, shelling by police, and stone-pelting by people
2. Police attack on the Islamabad office of Geo News a couple of hours ago - prompting strong reaction from the Minister of Information, politicians, people, and of course the press
3. Exploitation of the situation by those who do nothing for Pakistan given a chance
It is TIME. It begins, as many say.
To me, it's not about one pillar of the state against another - the pillar being legislative, executive, judiciary, and media.
To me, it's about the Citizens vs. Everything Wrong with Pakistan. It's about the fact that the citizens of Pakistan have always been brushed aside by whoever had power - law, government, feudal lords, media, academia, the educated people, the wealthy, the resource-owners.
It's about have's and have-not's. And now, the people have a voice, and an emotional bank account in the red.
In the next few days, Pakistan will witness an un-stoppable rising of the unpolitical Citizens, rising only for Citizens' Fundamental Rights. Only time will show what will happen - we all have ideas which are better not expressed.
In a recent Q&A session after futurist Rohit Talwar's talk on Pakistan's Vision for the year 202o, I gave my opinion that within 30 years, Pakistan will be one of the few leading powers of the world. The conference was attended by business leaders and managers of Pakistan, and some expressed surprise at the idea.
I gave my anxious opinion only in private to those who prodded: my belief is that in thirty years, a new Pakistan, led by the youth of today, will have emerged on the map of earth. The IDEA of Pakistan will be stronger, and we will be on our way to great glory - which was always the fate of Pakistan. However, the anxiety was about the disruptive change that will have to occur before we reach that stage. Pakistan, as it is now, is not what the idea of Pakistan is. It is so far removed, that we will need to uproot ourselves from the current situation, and create a new world of our ideas.
My opinion is only of the doctor who sees a patient with advanced cancer, and must tell the truth. The recovery will require drastic therapy, followed by a lifestyle of rigorous health and responsibility.
I believe in Pakistan's future, though Pakistan's present is fraught with discord, and more will come. That is why, I wear a White Band, and not a black one to mark my feelings about the present.
E-mail: nextbyramla AT gmail.com
Readers,
It's important in life to keep checking every now and then whether our actions are aligned with our priorities. I want to share with all an exercise undertaken to align my actions with objectives - and it may help you, too.
Making Time
I love new media. I believe in the power of the Internet as a tool of the people. Hence I center my work around the Internet, spending much time online on communities, educating, learning, interacting.
At the Vision 2020 conference in Karachi last month, futurist Rohit Talwar reminded that we have to create time for thinking by minimizing demands on our time.
Yesterday, prompted by a friend, I worked out an exercise on how I could make better use of my time online. To take immediate action, I made a simple list of my biggest energy-consuming activities online.
I listed 9 major items on one page of my diary, and on the opposite page, I wrote "solutions."
One of the 9 items was comments on my blogs.
Issues: Spam. Really cool comments buried on the comment page. Time needed to moderate comments. Serious discussions lost in comments. Anonymous comments with ulterior motives. Random comments. Etc.
Comments take much time monitoring and answering. Yet I often find little value in comments except that on some blogs, they create a space for user interaction - which is suitable to some blogs, not all.
I am philosophical. So here's how I see it: I am on the blog to say something - it's not a personal nor news-sharing blog, it's about certain views arrived at after thought and research. Those who agree with the views have nothing new to say. Those who don't agree have nothing I could benefit from - because my work is not an accident; I spend time researching and validating it.
Talk is easy. Internet talk is really easy. Which is why some are seriously considering putting a "price/quota" on talking via email etc.
The Law of the Vital Few...
...suggests that 80% of the consequences stem from 20% of the causes. True. 20% of the audience provide 80% of the meaningful feedback, and benefit from the blog. The main purpose of this blog is to share work with those who need it; and that's the audience I wish to serve without distraction. To these 20%, I want to give 100%.
Now. Those who really have something meaningful to add, can email. The effort to email is a "price" that shows this isn't easy talk; it means something to the writer of the email. I usually get the most interesting ideas, and even case studies to support NEXT>'s work, by email. (Thanks!)
So. Comments are going. Feedback and exchange of ideas are not: just mail!
The regular readers of NEXT> will now find the blog's energy more focused.
P.S. Try at home! :)
E-mail: nextbyramla AT gmail.com
In a surprising development, Justice (retd.) Fakhruddin G. Ibrahim appeared first on Geo TV and then AAJ TV to declare that he will NOT take up the Chief Justice Iftikhar suspension case on behalf of the government, as was being reported by some papers.
He said he was completely on the side of the Chief Justice and "Judiciary." He expressed his dismay at the situation in clear and strong words.
......
Note: Blogger login is down again. Blog can't be updated. I am trying via email.
Edit: to make post *sticky* I'm forwarding the date in time.
Last night, I decided to begin a private protest at the suspension of Justice Iftikhar from Office of Chief Justice of Pakistan, by wearing a white band. The idea was shared here, and blogger MB asked the important question:
Why not black [the traditional color of protest armbands], why white?
Why White Bands?
This is why, as shared on Karachi Metblogs:
I am wearing a white band because by God, no one will take my HOPE away from me. White is mourning, white is peace, white is hope, white is optimism (in my own ability - "my" meaning any band wearer), white is my belief that when we keep working at it - tomorrow will be better.Actually, I have a feeling that it's "begun."
1. Tell us - the people of Pakistan - the truth about the Chief Justice.
2. Take people into confidence; the government must address the nation via TV, radio, print, Internet.
3. Give fair hearing to the Chief Justice.
4. Give credit to the fact he reduced the number of cases in hearing from 36,000 to 10,000.
5. Give credit that he took suo moto action not to have the pleasure of give pains to the lawyers and the police, but to give justice to the common citizen.
6. Give credit to Justice Iftikhar for taking tough decisions on such cases as the privatization of Pakistan Steel Mills, the inquiry in to the Karachi Stock Exchange crash, and report on missing persons, among others.
7. Give credit to Justice Iftikhar for being civil-minded, and caring for such things as: murder of people during basant; rights and respect of women; commercialization of public spaces; prisoner rights; and dubious development projects, among others.
8. Stop taking the people of Pakistan for granted. We are a party - a very large and vocal party - to important decisions taken in Pakistan. Respect our opinions and sentiments. Do not aggrieve us by consistently shocking us with one autocratic decision after another.
While Naeem Bokhari twists in agony that the Honorable Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, currently suspended, was busy with matters such as Fundamental Rights which are unworthy of the Supreme Court in Naeem's opinion, Justice Iftikhar was also giving decisions on very high-profile matters.
Munaeem lists some key decisions here, which he believes "irked the government".
Latest on Naeem Bokhari:
Punjab Bar cancels his basic membership (urdu). Naeem prevented from entering the Bar province-wide.
E-mail: nextbyramla AT gmail.com
In losing Justice Iftikhar, possibly forever as the Chief Justice of Pakistan, we have lost the Chief Petty Matters Officer of Pakistan, Supreme Chief of Petty Matters of Citizens' Fundamental Rights.
AND I PROTEST.
I protest at the manner in which the last hope of justice to the people of Pakistan has been rounded up. I protest that we the people were not taken into confidence - before or even hours after the incidence. I protest that just when Pakistani citizens have turned desperately hopeless of any formal institution, the Institution of Justice has been breached again at the supreme level. I protest that the Prime Minister made the move to suspend the Chief Justice on a matter more related to his son, not him. I protest because though the knock-out is technical, the reason behind is more sinister. I protest, I protest, and I protest!
I will keep wearing a white band on my arm until this decision is explained to the people to our satisfaction, and we can have hope that the Judiciary is safe. I will keep wearing the band - a sign of my mourning as well my resolution to see a positive change, reflected by the color white - until Justice Iftikhar has a chance to explain himself to those who he cared most about: small, petty people.
Bring the "Media Circus" on!
---
Note: Post edited. Comment on Naeem Bokhari's letter moved here.
E-mail: nextbyramla AT gmail.com
The suspension of Justice Iftikhar could not have come at a more suspicion-raising time. Elections are nigh, and the suspended Chief Justice shows a strong track record of speaking his mind. (Here and here.)
He halted the privatization of Pakistan Steel Mills. He investigated what brokers stood to gain from the crash of Karachi Stock Exchange. And he had time for the "smaller" matter of loss of life from wanton kite-flying.
A man, therefore, of many enemies. One wonders how is the record of the "Prime" accusers of Justice Iftikhar?
From the track record of the high-handed decisions of the present government, I fear that this decision of suspension will turn into one of sacking. After all, Pakistan may need it, like we need our territory to be attacked by foreign forces, no-answers-given.
Justice Iftikhar listened to the poor. The unheard. Under him, the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) took self-initiated actions against the wrong committed to the citizens.
And a certain lawyer Mr. Naeem Bokhari thinks that the Justice's suo moto actions were actually part of his brusque behavior. Naeem Bokhari's infamous letter is here, and it pretty much makes up the (media) case against the Justice.
Naeem Bokhari is pained about the involvement of the Supreme Court in cases involving Fundamental Rights - he gives the example of how the Supreme Court got involved in the recovery of a female. Bokhari says that this is "media circus" - apparently a case much below the status of the high & mighty Supreme Court.
"The proceedings before the Supreme Court can conveniently and easily be referred to the District and Sessions Judges," suggests Mr. Bokhari, in obvious pain that the SCP is concerned with trivial matters related to the citizens. Mr. Bokhari makes no mention of the Steel Mills case and gives the impression as if the Chief Justice did nothing but scream at judges, terrify the police (for being lousy, Mr. Bokhari forgets to mention), and worry about petty issues. Justice Iftikhar was "petty" enough to worry about the rights and respect of women, as in the case of Pak Intl. Airlines' female crew.
Wow! Would the citizens of Pakistan involve the Supreme Court if district and sessions courts gave them justice? Where is Mr. Bokhari living on - Planet Awayfromearth? Does he not know that it has come to the point where people are setting themselves on fire outside courts in search of (social) justice? And does he not remember that the police are no sheep; they are inhuman to the extent of stripping a man half-naked and beating him up for wanting justice?
---
Note: this post has been separated from the subsequent one, as Naeem's action is important to study on its own - being the de facto charge sheet against Justice Iftikhar.
E-mail: nextbyramla AT gmail.com
I have created a poll on the story. It's in the right hand column.
Tell us what you think? Leave comments, if you have more on your mind.
Edit: old poll didn't work. Fixed with a new poll host.
E-mail: nextbyramla AT gmail.com
Now. The job of a blogger is not just to report events, but to speak what the heart and mind say.
Let me begin by quoting some of the work of Justice Iftikhar. A random search:
1/ CJ Iftikhar takes notice of intended commercialization of college space - Ayaz Amir
Converting my column regarding the intended commercialization of the open spaces of the Government College of Chakwal into a petition under Article 184 (3) of the Constitution, the Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudry, has caused notices to be issued to advocate-general Punjab and the administration of the college. DCO Chakwal has been asked for his comments. Hearing is set for this morning, Friday, before Bench Number One.
2/ IIBL depositors’ plea to CJ for justice
As the honorable Chief Justice who himself conducted enquiry of the scam, knows the plight of IIBL depositors and the brazen modus operandi of the incarcerated bankers. It is not secret that registrar Supreme Court itself deposited Rs. 493.498 million in IIBL in July 2002, which is the token of mistrust of SC upon IIBL management. It is learned through reliable sources that the families of Nadeem Anwar and Javed Qureshi have already left for Canada and they want to sneak through as and when they are out of jail through the clever appeal they made to CJ in an article that appeared in press on 19-07-06. [More...]
3/ Trafficking of girls
Islamabad police have confirmed to `The News’ that after directions from Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, they have made significant progress in the case and have already arrested four accused including a “madam” of this gang, who adopted unique methods to transport these girls after breaching the so-called sophisticated systems of Nadra and passport departments by getting their fake identity cards and machine readable passports. [More...]
4/ Fettered Inmates
A Supreme Court full bench on Thursday expressed its displeasure over the Lahore district and sessions judge’s report informing the court that he had constituted a committee to look into the condition of more than 100 under-trial prisoners who were being reportedly kept in fetters in small Kot Lakhpat Jail cells for weeks, and in some cases even for months. [More...]
5/ SC takes suo moto notice of New Murree Project
The story of a "development" project. [More...]
6/ Take note of the Police
"The Punjab police’s negative role is hurting the government’s credibility. Gangsters are playing with the lives of the people and police seem to be silent spectators despite possessing all resources and privileges to counter crime,” the chief justice observed while conducting the suo moto proceedings of a case regarding Punjab’s high crime rate and the presence of different gangs operating without checks." [More...]
Civil Society
These are the matters relating to civil society on which the Supreme Court of Pakistan, under then chief Justice Iftikhar Chuadhry, took mostly suo moto (self-started) action. In fact, Justice Iftikhar has become popular with the citizens for his involvement in the civil society.
The Shock
The news has shock many in the corridor of law in Pakistan, and the people of Pakistan. Justice Iftikhar also took brave actions in the cases of the thwarted privatization of Pakistan Steel Mills (here and here) and an inquiry into the Stock Exchange crash (here and here) - and in both cases the name of Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz was implicated.
A Prime Link in the Stories?
As leading Pakistani media reported, President Musharraf removed Just. Iftikhar on the recommendation of Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz. And this is the murkiest part of the story, since the Prime Minister has been implicated in the cases of Steel Mill privatization and the doctored crash of Karachi Stock Exchange.
High-Handed Move by Musharraf
Another high-handed move by Musharraf, without the need to take the nation into confidence. After the serial attacks of Americans on Pakistani soil as in the case of Bajor, the secretive killing of Bugti, and the abduction of Pakistani citizens, journalists and activists in which the agencies are reportedly involved - comes another controversial decision from the President. To top things, this is an unprecedented constitutional move highly reminiscent of some of the actions that ultimately led to the downfall of Nawaz Sharif.
The People
We have lost what was probably the last resort of any form of justice in Pakistan. What more can be said?
It begins...
E-mail: nextbyramla AT gmail.com
There is confusion while it is widely believed that Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry has been "sacked" from his office of Chief Justice of Pakistan.
The media is hurrying to understand what the Constitution of Pakistan says on the matter. Meanwhile it is becoming clear that the Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry has not been "sacked," but "prevented from the office of CJ of PK."
Why? To prevent conflict of interest while investigation are underway on whether he misused authority.
The prime allegation, in the ironic lament of lawyer Naeem Bokhari is:
I am not perturbed that Dr. Arsalaan (your son) secured 16/100 in the English paper for the Civil Services Examination, that there is a case against him in some court in Baluchistan, that from the Health Department in Baluchistan he has shifted to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), that he has obtained training in the Police Academy, that he reportedly drives a BMW 7-Series car, that there is a complaint against him with the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).It is indeed tragic if true - for Justice Iftikhar has been shining as a beacon of hope to the civil society of Pakistan for his numerous suo-moto actions on the behalf of citizens.My grievances and protests are different.
I am perturbed that the Supreme Court should issue a clarificatory statement on his behalf. I am perturbed that Justice (Retd.) Wajihuddin Ahmed should be constrained to advise you on television that “people who live in glass houses should not throw stones at others”. I am perturbed that the Chief Justice should summon Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman to his chambers on Dr. Arsalaan’s account.
I am appalled that you announce decisions in Court, while in the written judgment an opposite conclusion is recorded.
The "removed" (sacked? suspended?) Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Chaudhry is presently in the Army House, reported by Geo TV.
Meanwhile, heads are being scratched over what the usually-wildly interpreted Constitution of Pakistan has to say on the matter.
Here is the related constitutional article, straight from the source:
The Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan : PART VIIOriginal Story: Breaking News: Pakistan President removes Chief Justice
Chapter 4: General Provisions Relating to The Judicature
Article 209
- (1) There shall be a Supreme Judicial Council of Pakistan, in this Chapter referred to as the Council.
- (2) The Council shall consist of,
- (a) the Chief Justice of Pakistan;
- (b) the two next most senior Judges of the Supreme Court; and
- (c) the two most senior Chief Justices of High Courts.
Explanation:- For the purpose of this clause, the inter se seniority of the Chief Justices of the High Courts shall be determined with reference to their dates of appointment as Chief Justice [231][otherwise than as acting Chief Justice], and in case the dates of such appointment are the same, with reference to their dates of appointment as Judges of any of the High Courts.
- (3) If at any time the Council is inquiring into the capacity or conduct of a Judge who is a member of the Council, or a member of the Council is absent or is unable to act due to illness or any other cause, then
- (a) if such member is a Judge of the Supreme Court, the Judge of the Supreme Court who is next in seniority below the Judges referred to in paragraph (b) of clause (2), and
- (b) if such member is the Chief Justice of a High Court; the Chief Justice of another High Court who is next in seniority amongst the Chief Justices of the remaining High Courts, shall act as a member of the Council in his place.
- (4) If, upon any matter inquired into by the Council, there is a difference of opinion amongst its members, the opinion of the majority shall prevail, and the report of the Council to the President shall be expressed in terms of the view of the majority.
- (5) If, on information received from the Council or from any other source, the President is of the opinion that a Judge of the Supreme Court or of a High Court,
- (a) may be incapable of properly performing the duties of his office by reason of physical or mental incapacity; or
- (b) may have been guilty of misconduct, the President shall direct the Council to inquire into the matter.
- (6) If, after inquiring into the matter, the Council reports to the President that it is of the opinion,
- (a) that the Judge is incapable of performing the duties of his office or has been guilty of misconduct, and
- (b) that he should be removed from office, the President may remove the Judge from office.
- (7) A Judge of the Supreme Court or of a High Court shall not be removed from office except as provided by this Article.
- (8) The Council shall issue a code of conduct to be observed by Judges of the Supreme Court and of the High Courts.
The President of Pakistan, Pervez Musharraf, suspended Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry (@ Wikipedia) from the post of the Chief Justice of Pakistan for "misuse of authority."
A reference has been filed against Justice Iftikhar, who has been replaced by Justice Javed Iqbal as acting Chief Justice.
Reports are trickling in via media. It appears that Justice Iftikhar has been removed for helping his son gain positions of importance.
Justice (retired) Nasir Aslam Zahid is just speaking to Geo TV and expressing his view that this step is extraordinary. He believes that the President should have waited for the report of the Supreme Judicial Council on the inquiry about Justice Iftikhar.
Chief Justice (R) Sajjad Ali Shah says that according to the Constitution, Supreme Judicial Council inquires the cases of misuse of authority while the Chief Justice remains suspended.
Note: It appears that Justice Iftikhar has not been "sacked" as is the impression - but "removed" from acting as the functional Chief Justice while hearing against him proceeds in the Supreme Judicial Council... to avoid conflict of interest.
Lawyers have gathered around the building of the Supreme Court in protest. The doors of the court have been locked.
On acting Chief Justice: Justice Rana Bhagwan Das is out of country, and hence Just. Javed Iqbal has been put in the position of acting Chief Justice. According to Just. Sajjad Ali Shah, his religion is not the reason for the appointment of Just. Javed Iqbal - as Just. Bhagwan Das has previously taken the position.
Note: Removed? Is it "sacked?" Is it "suspended?" Details to come. According to CJ (R) Sajjad Ali, the language of the Constitution is archaic and befuddling. He is saying that a corrected, clearer version of the decision must be made.
Removed Chief Justice Iftikhar is known for taking suo-moto actions on complaints of common citizens, which has rendered him quite a hero in Pakistan.
Famous cases:
Supreme Court halts handover of Steel Mills
Stock Exchange Scam
More: Naeem Bokhari's letter to Justice Iftikhar - Offers interesting insights on the cases related to his son
E-mail: nextbyramla AT gmail.com
