The Troika of Chiefs on Way Out

The last quarter of 2013 is important as President Asif Ali Zardari completes his term in office, Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Choudhry (CJP) retires, and the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Pervaiz kayani goes home after having availed of his three years extension.

Naturally, replacing them all is a real challenge. So some modification in the current policy matters may become imperative just to re-model/facelift three respective areas namely the Presidency, the Judiciary and the military respectively.

The painful history of the past military take overs reminds us of the harsh realities associated with it. But every time, the coup maker succeeded in getting validation sticker from the Apex court under the pretext of doctrine of necessity.

Originally a PCO judge himself, Mr. Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Choudhry thwarted all pressure from General Musharraf, and on 3rd November 2007 emergency/mini martial law was imposed. Those who took oath under fresh PCO stayed and the rest of the judges around sixty were house arrested.

BB’s assassination was cashed by the PPP and later on President Musharraf had to step down to make room for Zardari.

With the intervention of general Kayani, the Zardari regime finally restored the Choudhry judiciary replacing the Dogar judiciary.

Ever since, starting with repealing of NRO, Justice Iftikhar Choudhry has been passing historic judgments independently, but the PPP government has been defying all apex court verdicts.

Despite its failures to deliver, the PPP regime managed to last for full term of five years, however, the credit goes to the shrewd Zardari who occupies the Presidency since 2008.

The COAS General Kayani, a cool headed gentleman stayed away from interfering in the political matters. And Justice Choudhry didn’t invoke article 190 asking for the military intervention for his verdicts to be implemented for reason of expediency. Many believe that because of the international situation, the army has been too busy on the western border and is not in a position to take any step against the system at present and in the foreseeable future. 

National Security Issue:  Pakistan Tehreeq-i-Insaaf Chairman Imran Khan’s concern about national security is genuine one. He has called for a closed-door meeting with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Chief of the Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani before an all parties conference (APC) on national security takes place.

Nevertheless, with the issue of replacements, the uncertainty again looms over Pakistan as it’s a major challenge for the third timer Prime Minister. He must play smart this time.

Two questions:

Firstly, will the new chief justice be as strong as the current one enabling the apex judiciary to carry on with their verdicts without interference from any quarter?

Secondly, is there any guarantee that the cool headed Kayani has persuaded his soldiers to remain subservient to the government after he leaves office?

The major worry is if the army is just monitoring now to retaliate later.

Most probably, the incoming bosses will adopt policies different from the ones being pursued at present. If that happens, the whole picture may change abruptly with new appointments.

Suggestions for choosing criterion:

Reviewing the past makes the future foreseeable with ease: Iskandar Mirza selected Ayub Khan, Bhutto selected Zia-ul-Haq, Nawaz selected Musharraf, and all selectees went for coup against the selectors.

It’s said, “Once bitten twice shy.” This time Nawaz will have to be extra careful while choosing. He should also take civil and military administration onboard while appointing someone on such high profile position.

Another clue is, if the prime minister goes for a General who is honest, efficient, a decent human being, qualified for this position based on seniority, and a super clean record, and then there is not even a slight chance of adventurism on his part to threaten the civilian government.

Surely, the Army chief selected on the basis of strict merit will be efficient and intelligent enough to meet the national and international challenges without any reluctance in the best interest of the country.

So based on the multiple factors including seniority and the merit, the next Chief of the Army Staff and the Chief Justice of the Supreme court of Pakistan can be picked with confidence.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has no option but to adhere to the principle of sequence of seniority list; he should not violate the rule by giving extension to the retiring General as this will amount to deprive the others to avail their right.

However after the retirement of the two chiefs, the services of Mr. Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Choudhry can be best utilized as Advisor law and justice to help maintain the momentum of judicial reforms, whereas, General kayani can be retained as military advisor to the government of Pakistan for his experience with the US and the NATO, so that 2014 withdrawal takes place smoothly as scheduled.

Furthermore, the common prediction is President Zardari would leave the country before the day of losing his presidential immunity, yet anything pending against him prior to becoming the president remains open for litigation beyond doubt.

This time again, it’s up to the Legislators and Senators to elect a good person and they better avoid sending a notorious person to the presidency.

Believe or not, if a wise voting takes place, there will not be any international embarrassment as was there due to ill reputed outgoing President.

Pakistan democracy is far from maturity. It will flourish if the culture and mindset of all involved changes for the better.

Ramadan, Excellent Source for Taqwa & Overall Health

Canadian Muslims are excited, as the blessed month of Ramadan has already begun to give them another golden chance for self-evaluation and spiritual growth. Ramadan is also called Ramzan or Ramadhan and is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, which consists of 354 days in 12 months cycle. The month is spent in the hot pursuit of Taqwa by the devout Muslims all around the world for 29 or 30 days every year depending on various factoral limitations.

On the (lunar) Islamic calendar, Ramadan is always on the same date; however, the date on the (solar) Gregorian calendar varies from year to year. The month moves in the Gregorian calendar approximately 11 days annually. Since the Islamic calendar is lunar, and the days begin at sunset, so there is a slight chance of one-day in counting error depending on when the new moon is first sighted.

Fasting during the month is one of the five pillars of Islam and is known to be month of reflection and complete submission to Allah SWT (God Almighty). The majority of the Muslim Ummah agrees that fasting in the month is an essential part of fundamental Islamic obligations.

The beginning and ending of the month may vary from country to country depending on the moon sighting.

Islamically, fasting (sawm) is abstaining or refraining from certain things for a specified period of time. For example: While fasting, a Muslim is required to abstain from sexual intercourse, food and drinks of all kinds right from dawn to sunset time preceded by the intention (Niyyah).

But one must remember that sins under no circumstance are justifiable regardless of fasting or not.

Dawn to dusk fasting starts before Fajar (Sunrise) and ends at Maghreb (Sunset) when “Iftar” (breaking fast) is mandatory. Almost all masaajid (mosques) host daily Iftar during Ramadan where Muslims can break their fast and eat together.

Exemption: The young children, the sick and the elderly are exempted from fasting.

Realising the pain of starvation: The Ramadhan fasting enables the Muslims to broaden their compassion for “the Hungry” and “the less fortunate.”  That is why; the Muslims tend to generously donate to charity.  It’s pleasing to know that hyper-participation in food drives for the poor during the month is quite usual, as Muslims are motivated to give out for the needy and hungry for the entire year.

And in Masaajid, the Qur'an is recited by the Imam during congregational taravi prayers every night throughout the blessed month.

Essence of fasting during Ramadan and its goal is summed up in the Qur'an just in one word: “Taqwa”-"O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may attain Taqwa." (Qur'an 2:183).  Taqwa is both an attitude and a process. In fact, the proper attitude of the Muslims toward Allah SWT denotes nothing but love, devotion, and fear.
This clearly indicates that Ramadan-fasting like other religious practices in Islam is one of the best sources available to generate moral excellence to appropriately handle the daily routine matters including social interaction. Beyond doubt, one can achieve the best moral values and can easily become a role model for others provided there is no hypocrisy or double standards.

If we are sincere towards Allah SWT, fasting in Ramadan helps us to develop our moral discipline, which also reminds us of the plight of those have-nots who suffer from constant hunger and deprivation.
With all said, it boils down to the fact that “Fasting” is not simply a time during which people deprive themselves from physical pleasures, but it’s also an important occasion to practise moral self restraint for attaining the spiritual growth.

Indeed, the sense of spiritual fulfillment through a state of “TAQWA” becomes attainable with month long “Fasting Work-Out” during the blessed month, because the first verses of the holy Quran were actually revealed to our beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in Ramadhan.  

And, “Laaelatul-Qadr” is remembered as being the anniversary of that actual day, when the Quran was actually presented to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Furthermore, the “Laaelatul-Qadr” is known as the “Night of Power” which usually falls on any odd dated night within the last 10 days of Ramadan.

As sawm in Arabic means “Refrain,” so Ramadan provides the best opportunity to learn that there is a lot more than just the ‘disallowed eating or drinking’ between the Sunrise and the Sunset.

Fortunately, the blessed month empowers the Muslims to be brave enough to restrain themselves from devilish or sinful activity including backbiting, gossiping, looking immorally at forbidden things and using obscene words.

Thus, taking part in the mandatory practice of Ramadan fasting through offering the prayers on time, eating and drinking as prescribed makes the Muslims well disciplined and Muttaqee (God fearing).

Among the health benefits of Ramadhan fasting, is the relaxation period for stomach, digestive system, refining system, heart, circulatory system, the kidneys and the list goes on and on.

As claimed by medical scientists and doctors, Islamic Fast is also a kind of psychological treatment, because it provides spiritual enhancement and strengthens the feeling of being free from physical limitations and habits and addictions.

Since the blessed month make Muslims feel morally re-conditioned and rebooted, they must maintain the momentum of carrying out their self-check up through increased religious dedication 24/7 during the entire remainder of the year till next Ramadan.

As self-discipline, patience and spirituality are the great fruits of fasting work out, surely, Ramadan helps grow the remembrance of Allah SWT leading to another renewal of solid commitment to the noble values that God Almighty has revealed to the Muslims and the entire Humankind, of course.

Nevertheless, without sincere effort, benefits derived from fasting are short lived.

In fact, Islamic Fast, which plays an important role in the treatment of some diseases, can be very effective if it is practiced according to the Sunna of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Conclusion is Islamic fasting during Ramadan or otherwise definitely helps in ridding our bodies of stored poisons, including addictive substances, and we feel enabled to adjust our craving and upgrade our tolerance level.

Most of all, one’s mind becomes purely clean and clear of all lustful thoughts after attaining Taqwa.