Why lawyers are marching?
Pakistani lawyers want reinstatement of about 60 judges led by Supreme Court chief justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry whom Musharraf sacked and detained in November, 2007 in a bid to scuttle challenges to his unconstitutional rule and candidacy for a second five-year term in presidency.
The ruling coalition had promised in March to reinstate judges, but the major partner, Pakistan People's Party of slain ex-premier Benazir Bhutto had been delaying it and touting a “constitutional package†which it claims will limit the powers of Musharraf and ensure independence of judiciary.
The junior partner, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz led by two-time former premier Nawaz Sharif has pulled out of federal cabinet after the coalition failed to meet several deadlines set for judges reinstatement. PML-N is now participating in lawyers' long march.
Why Musharraf is unconstitutional president?
In October 1999, when Sharif as prime minister sacked army chief general Musharraf because he unauthorizedly sent troops into Indian zone of Kashmir, his government was overthrown by the commando general fearing accountability.
In April 2002, Musharraf held a referendum,which was widely criticized as fraudulent at home and abroad, and declared himself President and did not retire as army chief because the rank provided him control over the power.
In April 2007, when Musharraf's five-year illegal term came to an end, he again vied for Presidency, but the country's constitution barred any serving government and military officer from contesting any election before two years after retirement. The Supreme Court was hearing challenges to his candidacy, when he as army chief, again suspended the constitution and imposed emergency rule in November 2007 and arrested judges and lawyers and placed harsh curbs on media.
In February 2008, the ruling coalition which elected Musharraf president in military uniform was trounced in general election by Sharif's and Bhutto's parties.
What will happen?
The next couple of days are very interesting in the history of Pakistan. Let's see if judges are reinstated and Musharraf goes home or not?
Suicide bombing
There are fears of suicide bombings. The home coming massive political rally of Benazir Bhutto was attacked in October in southern port city of Karachi in which more than 170 people were killed. Bhutto had accused intelligence agencies for the carnage, as Musharraf-led government had become panicked after seeing a sea of people who had come to welcome Bhutto.
Prime Minister orders strict security for the march
Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani chaired a high level meeting late tonight (early Wednesday) and reviewed in detail the arrangements made to ensure that the long march remained peaceful and orderly and the normal life of the people is not disrupted, a statement issued by prime minister house said.
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The meeting was attended by the federal ministers and coalition partners of the government.
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The Prime Minister emphasized the need to ensure the security of the participants of the long march and the protection of the people in view of the high security situation warranted by the long march.
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The Prime Minister said that foolproof arrangements should be made to ensure safety of the diplomatic missions in the country.
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The meeting was briefed about the route and destination of the long march.
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