Pakistan Judicial Crisis Escalates

"The decision to file a new reference does in no way mean that the first reference was weak," Federal Minister for Law Muhammad Wasi Zafar told IslamOnline.net on Monday, June 11.

"The new reference has been formulated by my ministry and is being studied by legal experts."

The minister said a summary of the reference would be sent to the prime minister after vetting.

The new reference relates to suspended top Iftikhar Chaudry's activities since the filing of the first reference on March 9 and is based on "facts" contained in the three affidavits submitted by the intelligence agencies chiefs.

Military Intelligence Chief Major General Nadeem Taj, Intelligence Bureau Director General Brigadier Ejaz Shah and presidential chief of staff Lt General (rtd) Hamid Javed submitted their statements in the Supreme Court last week leveling serious charges against the suspended Chief Justice.

Justice Chaudry was suspended by President Prevez Musharraf on charges of misconduct and misuse of authority.

Minister Zafar insisted neither the first nor second reference is based on ill-intentions.

"Both references are based on facts and the government is meeting its constitutional obligations.

"There were some allegations which had not been made public by the government for the sake of judiciary's dignity," he claimed.

The suspension of the top judge has sparked protests by lawyers and the opposition that have turned into a broad campaign for the restoration of democracy.

It is the most serious challenge to the authority of Musharraf since he seized power in a 1999 coup.

Backdoor Closed

The New York Times insisted Monday it was time for the Bush administration to sever ties with Musharraf.

The new government's action seem to be linked to the failure of backdoor efforts to strike an out-of-court settlement.

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