By Imran Khan in
Asia
on December 24th, 2009
.
Share
Photo by AFP
For a man under pressure he looks remarkably calm. Striding towards the court is the country's interior minister, Rehman Malik.
He is a colourful character, matching his handkerchief and tie just so ( today's colour appeared to be silver), and is the man who job it is to protect Pakistan from the wave of attacks it has seen in recent months.
On this particular Thursday, though, it's Malik's turn to defend himself. He is accused of dismissing the director of the FIA, the country's FBI, illegally. The director was investigating alleged in corruption in case involving Pakistan Steel Mills.
He denies the charges. Normally a political case like this would get the media's attention.
Today, though, it's seen as something other than a political scandal. It's being framed as another battle in the fight between the judiciary and the government.
As I write this, I sit inside court room number one of the supreme court of Pakistan. It's a grand building, all high arches and wood panelling.
It was here in this room just over a week ago when 17 judges, the full complement of the supreme court, delivered a verdict that has sent Pakistan into free fall.
The judges, sitting in high-backed green leather chairs, decided that an amnesty that allowed corruption and criminal cases to be dropped, was "null and void".
The law allowed politicians who had fled the country to return and seek political office.
One of the men affected by the ruling is Malik. Today's case has nothing to do with the amnesty ruling, but is another example of how the judiciary has become bold and is going after high-profile political targets.
The fact that this case is even being heard is a surprise to many.
Irfan is one of the many court officials who work here at the court. He's proud of what the supreme court is doing.
"In the past politicians could act with impunity, but now this court is holding them to account," he says.
"This court is no longer an extension of the government ... it's finally justice for all"
And that's really the key here. For too long, many in Pakistan have simply accepted that their elected officials are corrupt, that somehow taking and giving bribes is the only way Pakistan could grow as a society.
This supreme court, led by the chief justice, Ifthikar Mohammed Chaudhry, seems to be taking a stand.
Chaudhry has a lot to prove. His sacking by the then president, Pervez Musharraf, sparked a legal battle that saw lawyers on the streets pelting rocks at police, the return of exiled politicians and the eventual resignation of Musharraf.
Many look to the chief Justice as the man who can stop corruption within Pakistan.
But even he must know that's a mammoth task.
Finally, justice for all? | Al Jazeera Blogs
Finally, justice for all?
Linear Mode
