The dismissal of former Pakistani Prime Minister Yosaf Roza Gilani by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the country has been followed by repeated confrontations between the apex Court of Pakistan and its civilian government. On June 27, the Supreme Court asked the new Prime Minister, Raja Pervez Ashraf to indicate whether he would act according to its bidding. On July 25, the Court refused to entertain the Prime Minister’s plea that its order asking him to write to the Swiss authorities requesting them to reopen the graft case against President Asif Ali Zardari was unconstitutional and unimplementable. August 8 has now been set to allow him another hearing. The Supreme Court realizes that its summary dismissal of Gilani was not well received by the Pakistani people. His son’s sweeping victory in the recent by-election proved that. The judiciary has evidently become more cautious. The deferment of the date for the Prime Minister indicates its mellowing attitude. All depends on the relative strengths and weaknesses of the judiciary and the executive in Pakistan. The government has come to terms with the opposition and commands popular support. The judiciary has therefore somewhat reduced its activism.
The battle for supremacy between the judiciary and the government has demoralized the nation. People have started losing respect for Court legislation. The PPP government is trying to ensure that corrupt civil servants remain outside the reach of the law. The situation consequently has, if anything, deteriorated.
