EDITORIAL: Pakistan needs independent judiciary

An independent judiciary does not grow on trees. It has to be built in the minds of people and respected even when it is likely to deliver a judgment unfavourable to one. There is no reason to think why Pakistan cannot have an independent judiciary when India undoubtedly has one. After all, culturally the peoples of Pakistan and India have similar origins and similar dissimilarities within each. What we do not have in Pakistan is an instinct of self-restraint in its army, which has the proclivity to march out of its barracks at the slightest provocation. Musharraf resigns, Zardari refuses to reinstate the 60 judges dismissed by Musharraf, Nawaz Sharif walks out of the coalition but no one - not any one of the three - had a moment's thought for the consequences for Pakistan. Each seems to be considering his own personal advantage in any course that he may adopt. We were delighted when Kayani declined to support Musharraf against the people. But is Kayani going to let matters sort themselves out and not march his army to take over and send the prime minister and others packing? If past experience is any guide, Kayani is more likely to think that this is indeed his moment of distinction, a historical moment when he can earn a place in history. In due time he too will think that he is indispensable for the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and shall adopt all sorts of means to prolong his tenure. I hope I am wrong. In my wrongness lies hope for the people of Pakistan, who as a people are no different from the people of India. V. C. Bhutani, Delhi, India, August 27, 2008, 1012 IST, vineycb1@vsnl.com