TI-P calls on Pakistani Government for the re-instatement of the deposed judges unconstitutionally dismissed, and halt Media Intervention

Call for re-instating deposed judges on November 3rd 2007, end media intervention

Transparency International Pakistan calls on the Government of Pakistan to re-instate the deposed judges who were unconstitutionally dismissed on November 3rd 2007 by the then Chief of Army Staff, General Pervez Musharraf, and immediately stop intervention in Media.

Syed Adil Gilani, Chairman reminded the government that in the Annual Meeting of the Transparency International Asia Pacific Chapters (20 countries), held in Manila, called on the Government of Pakistan to re-instate the deposed judges. He said Access to Information is the basic requirement of Transparency which induces Good Governance and the Rule of Law, which are of fundamental importance for Pakistan to develop as a nation and become part of the developed world. It is not the job of a government alone to bring about good governance, but every individual has to strive for this by playing his active role in rooting out corruption from society.

In the view of Transparency International the termination of these judges critically weakens the effective functioning of the judicial sector. The judiciary is a key institution safeguarding the rule of law, accountability of governing institutions and the prevention of corruption.

“It is not news that Pakistan is drowning in corruption due to absence of rule of law,” said Syed Adil Gilani, the Chairman of TI Pakistan. He reminded all the political parties to fulfill the commitment given to the nation in their election manifesto that “Judiciary shall be fully independent” and that “There will be no discretion in any administrative decision taken by government servants”.