THE 1973 Constitution was the first to be framed by elected representatives of the people in what was left of Jinnah’s Pakistan after the tragic loss of then East Pakistan in 1971.

Our constitution clearly elaborates there are only three branches of state, namely: a bicameral legislature, an executive branch governed by the prime minister as chief executive and an apex federal judiciary headed by the Supreme Court.

The powers of three pillars of state are defined in constitution, including their power to organise, raise and fund various necessary apparatus such as civil bureaucracy, uniformed security services, law enforcement, tax collection, etc.

It is a fact that Gen Pervez Musharraf suspended and abrogated the 1973 Constitution not once but twice, in 1999 and the second time in 2007, which did not get legal cover. The other incidents that took place during his reign are the Lal Masjid operation, the May 12 Karachi killings and bomb blasts all over the country.

This country has duly compensated those who have served in our armed forces, giving them pensions and retirement benefits that are higher than any in the region. However, the fact remains that those who serve in civil or uniformed services, or are elected to public office are subject to laws and must submit to the constitution. These institutions exist to serve the people, who alone are the masters of Pakistan, which was the very purpose of creating this country.

Malik T. Ali

Lahore

(2)

THE detailed verdict in the Musharraf case by the special court is highly objectionable. It is unethical, un-Islamic, unconstitutional and also humiliating.

It appears that the judge had some grudge against the accused.

Even the Supreme Court which awarded the death sentence to Zulfikar Ali Bhutto did not go to such an extent.

It is time renowned lawyers, retired judges and legal practitioners adopted a legal course so that the verdict is reversed.

Muhammad Hanif Baig

Multan

Published in Dawn, December 30th, 2019