Reinstatement of Judges on 12 May, really??

The much awaited press conference of Mian Nawaz Sharif, those words, the decision and the future finally appeared on the TV screens today. Or did it, really? That’s a big questionmark.

The complete absence of the PPP, the major coalition partner, struck me hard. I do not believe completely in what I see or hear but more in those signs. And the sign language tells a completely different story. My apprehensions were further strengthened by the Law Minister (Farooq H. Naik), when he stated in Kamran Khan’s show that:

• The newly formed committee will decide whether the judges can be reinstated by a simple resolution or a legislation is necessary. And there should be complete consensus among the members, otherwise the two party heads will decide the future course of action.
• The NA session will be called on 12th May; and if the judges aren’t restored by that day, its not a big deal.

While in the same program, Justice (r) Wajihuddin strongly condemned the decision to accomodate the PCO-judges with the older ones. Will the lawyer community accept this? Will they be comfortable sitting with their friends who took oath after emergency? Will the judges in the future not consider taking oath under a PCO a safer option? Many unsolved questions.

I think there has been no progress what so ever about the judges’ issue and the current 10-day period is just a breather for the two parties. It may also be an interim face saving stunt for the coalition partners.

The decision of the reinstatement of judges is such that every party would love to take credit on it and gain politically. PPP, distancing itself of the fresh announcement and letting Nawaz Sharif take the limelight just doesn’t sound right. Afterall, they are politicians as well and, historically, more clever than their counterparts at PML-N.