This text discusses the political climate in Pakistan, focusing on the aftermath of a Supreme Court Bar election and the reactions to the 26th Constitutional Amendment. The author analyzes the PTI party’s response, including planned protests and their reliance on potential US intervention. The election of Mian Rauf Atta as Chairman of the Supreme Court Bar is highlighted as a significant setback for the opposing group. The piece also comments on the role of various political figures’ spouses in political movements and the overall political landscape. Finally, the author expresses skepticism about the PTI’s chances of success.

Political Analysis: Pakistan in Tumult

Study Guide

This study guide is designed to help you review the key concepts and events discussed in the provided text. Use it to solidify your understanding through short-answer questions, critical thinking with essay prompts, and a glossary of key terms.

Quiz: Short Answer Questions

Answer each of the following questions in 2-3 sentences, referencing specific points in the text when possible.

1. What was the stated reason for paying tribute to Chief Justice Qazi Faiz Isa, and what other factors influenced the event?
2. What was the PTI’s reaction to the Twenty-Sixth Constitutional Amendment, and what does the text suggest was their internal conflict?
3. How does the author contrast the behavior of some lawyers (like Salman Akram Raja) with their claims of being principled?
4. What is the significance of Mian Rauf Atta’s election as Chairman of the Supreme Court Bar?
5. What parallel is drawn between political wives like Naseem Wali Khan and Nusrat Bhutto and the current situation?
6. According to the text, what is the role of “Pinky Perni Sahiba” (Bushra Bibi) and what historical parallels are drawn?
7. Who is leading the protest for the retired Chief Justice Qazi Faiz Isa in London, and who is he relying on to influence US politics?
8. What are the concerns about relying on Donald Trump to help with the release of a political prisoner?
9. What is the author’s critique of the PTI’s ability to generate effective public protest?
10. What is the “beautiful dream” alluded to in the text, and what historical parallels are drawn to illustrate its ambition?

Quiz Answer Key

1. The official intention was to honor Chief Justice Qazi Faiz Isa’s retirement, however, the event was also shaped by the Hamid Khan Group’s defeat in the Supreme Court Bar election, the victory of the Asma Jahangir Group, the impact of the lawyers community, and the PTI’s protest movement.
2. The PTI was angry and grieved by the Twenty-Sixth Constitutional Amendment, but they did not take action against their own “perverts” and had internal constraints preventing stronger responses. They were also conflicted by their own actions, forcing their leadership to “speak in his glory”.
3. The author criticizes lawyers like Salman Akram Raja, who use “fiery statements” and cross “limits and limitations”, while simultaneously calling themselves lawyers and intellectuals and acting like “leaders of violence and terrorism,” suggesting hypocrisy.
4. Mian Rauf Atta’s election as Chairman of the Supreme Court Bar, representing the Asma Jahangir Group, indicates a reversal of plans and a shift in the legal community’s dynamics, affecting the political landscape.
5. The text draws a parallel between the actions of political wives like Naseem Wali Khan and Nusrat Bhutto when their husbands were arrested, suggesting that the current political wives should assume leadership in a similar manner.
6. “Pinky Perni Sahiba” is a reference to Bushra Bibi, expected to step up as a leader in her husband’s (the PTI leader’s) absence, like Naseem Wali Khan and Nusrat Bhutto, and is also compared to the mother of the Ali brothers who led the Caliphate movement.
7. Zulfi Bukhari is leading the protest for Qazi Faiz Isa in London, relying on Jared Kushner to influence Donald Trump. He hopes Trump will help the PTI leader by using his influence as President of the United States.
8. The text raises concerns about relying on Trump due to his uncertain political future, unreliability, and the fact that governments prefer relationships with other governments rather than individuals or political prisoners. The situation is compared to a “crooked pudding” that will never be straight.
9. The author critiques the PTI’s inability to mobilize effective public protests by suggesting their lack of influence after the 26th Amendment and noting that they cannot mobilize even 300,000 people to take to the streets.
10. The “beautiful dream” refers to the aspiration of the PTI to lead a mass movement that would storm D Chowk, similar to Bengali students in Dhaka and Afghan students in Kabul, and bring their leader from Adiala jail to the Prime Minister’s House.

Essay Format Questions

Answer the following questions in essay format, developing your arguments with support from the text.

1. Analyze the power dynamics at play between the legal community and the political parties, particularly in the context of the Supreme Court Bar election and the 26th Amendment.
2. Discuss the role of women in the text, especially political wives, and how they are used as symbols within the Pakistani political discourse.
3. Evaluate the author’s view of the PTI, using specific instances of critique, and how they are positioning themselves for political power.
4. Discuss the use of humor, sarcasm, and comparisons in the text and how these rhetorical tools help the author convey their arguments about the Pakistani political scene.
5. Explore the interplay between domestic political events and international relations, focusing on how the author connects the Pakistani political scene to US politics and Trump’s potential role.

Glossary of Key Terms

• Chief Justice Qazi Faiz Isa: A recently retired Chief Justice who is at the center of some of the political events described in the text.
• Hamid Khan Group: Refers to a political faction within the legal community, defeated in the Supreme Court Bar election.
• Asma Jahangir Group: A rival political faction within the legal community that won the Supreme Court Bar election, indicating a shift in power.
• PTI (Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf): A political party in Pakistan, led by a former cricket player, that is discussed in relation to their reaction to the 26th Amendment and their protest movement.
• Twenty-Sixth Constitutional Amendment: A constitutional amendment that appears to have provoked considerable grief and anger from the PTI and appears to have served as a catalyst for much of the political turmoil discussed.
• Salman Akram Raja: A lawyer whose statements are criticized for their violence and limits and limitations, despite his claims of being an “intellectual.”
• Mian Rauf Atta: The newly elected Chairman of the Supreme Court Bar, who belongs to the Asma Jahangir Group.
• Bushra Bibi (Pinky Perni Sahiba): The wife of the leader of the PTI, who is expected to lead the protest movement in her husband’s absence.
• Zulfi Bukhari: The leader of a protest movement in London for Qazi Faiz Isa, attempting to influence US politics.
• Jared Kushner: Donald Trump’s son-in-law who is viewed as a key connection for influencing Trump.
• Donald Trump: Former US President who the PTI hopes will intervene in Pakistani politics, despite his uncertain political future.
• Afia Siddiqui: A Pakistani woman convicted of terrorism in the US, used as a potential bargaining chip in a deal.
• D Chowk: A key location for protests in Pakistan, often associated with movements and demonstrations.
• Adiala Jail: A notorious prison in Pakistan where the leader of the PTI is apparently imprisoned.
• Caliphate Movement: A movement led by the mother of the Ali brothers and mentioned in the text as an historical parallel to current political movements by women.

Pakistan’s Post-Amendment Political Landscape

Okay, here’s a briefing document summarizing the key themes and ideas from the provided text:

Briefing Document: Analysis of “Pasted Text”

Date: October 26, 2023 (Based on internal references in the text)

Subject: Analysis of Pakistani Political Landscape and Legal Community Dynamics Following the 26th Constitutional Amendment

1. Overview

This document analyzes a text that provides a snapshot of the volatile political climate in Pakistan, particularly focusing on the aftermath of the 26th Constitutional Amendment, the dynamics within the legal community, and the actions of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. The text is characterized by strong opinions and uses vivid metaphors and historical allusions to depict the current state of affairs.

2. Key Themes & Ideas

• Discontent with the 26th Constitutional Amendment: The PTI and segments of the legal community are deeply angered by the 26th Amendment. Lawyers, particularly those associated with the Hamid Khan Group, initially vehemently opposed it, going so far as to “threatening to blow the entire system brick by brick.” This suggests a perception of the amendment as an affront to the constitution and justice system.
• Shifting Dynamics within the Legal Community: The defeat of the Hamid Khan Group in the Supreme Court Bar election and the victory of the Asma Jahangir Group represents a significant shift. The text portrays the Hamid Khan group as being principled, whereas it criticizes those associated with the Asma Jahangir Group, like Salman Akram Raja, for using “fiery statements” and crossing “all limits and limitations,” suggesting a potential divide within the legal community on how to address the 26th Amendment.
• PTI’s Internal Turmoil and Reliance on Foreign Intervention: The PTI is portrayed as internally fractured, possibly due to the imprisonment of their leader. The text alludes to a power struggle, suggesting the emergence of a new leadership under Bushra Bibi. There is a strong, almost desperate, hope that Donald Trump’s victory will enable him to pressure the Pakistani government into releasing the imprisoned PTI leader. Specifically, the text mentions the hope that Trump will be influenced by his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, in the event of his presidential victory:
• “the workers are expecting Zulfi Buhari that he will trust Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kishner and one day he will definitely influence Trump too.”
• The Role of Female Figures in Political Movements: The text draws parallels between past political movements led by women (Naseem Wali Khan, Nusrat Bhutto, Kulsoom Nawaz) and the potential role of Bushra Bibi in the current situation. It highlights how wives of imprisoned leaders have historically taken a central role in leading movements, suggesting the expectation that Bushra Bibi might emulate this:
• “Today time has put this responsibility on our Pinky Perni Sahiba. If given, she will pay her due, including the barqa and will prove that the hijab, no matter the barqa with a hat, it cannot be an obstacle in the way of the progress and struggle of our Islamic women.”
• The Futility of Relying on Donald Trump: The text expresses skepticism about the PTI’s plan to rely on Trump. The author notes that Trump’s chances of winning the election are uncertain, and that even if he wins, there is no guarantee that he will be willing to jeopardize governmental relationships to secure the release of a political prisoner. There is a strong critique of the perceived naivety of the PTI:
• “What a guarantee he will be so desperate to release your leader while in diplomacy governments prefer relationships with governments over relationships with lost prisoners and then Trump himself is such an unreliable Mojis that At the angle of the 90s, Pantera arrives in North Korea and the famous dictator speaks about that he is my friend and then the night is over”
• Critique of PTI’s Inability to Mobilize Public Support: The text criticizes the PTI for failing to create effective public protests for their leader’s release. The author describes the current public support as weak and derides the notion that a three-lakh strong protest would automatically translate into the release of their leader:
• “Now a leader of PTI is being found in media saying that if three lakh people somehow come out with me. So I will attack the government through D Chowk just like Bengali students were in Dhaka and Afghan students were in Kabul then we will bring our Khan directly from Adiala jail to Prime Minister House what a beautiful dream and Dreams should be seen even if they are in daylight.”
• Juxtaposition of Power Dynamics: The text highlights the contrast between the retired Chief Justice Qazi Faiz Isa, who is receiving international acclaim, and a “powerful institution” head who is described as “angry” and remaining “a dervish like a dervish” after the changes in power dynamics in Pakistan. The text notes how the previous chief justice has now moved onto a successful international career after retirement.
• Use of Metaphors and Allusions: The author employs vivid metaphors like “a sick heart finally finished the work,” and “a crooked pudding is not straight,” and alludes to historical events and figures (such as the Ali brothers and the Caliphate movement, Naseem Wali Khan, and Afia Siddiqui) to enrich their critique.

3. Key Quotes

• “The lawyers’ protest movement against the 26th Amendment and threatening to blow the entire system brick by brick were openly giving in front of the media.”
• “Poor people don’t understand, whom to abuse? And against whom to raise the storm of hatred?”
• “Perhaps the sisters will also take oath of the Pir Khana.”
• “Today she will once again Ali. They are ready to refresh the memories of the motherless brothers.”
• “After that, no one will be able to stop their release, even if the powerful in Pakistan do any such obstacle.”
• “The blind thought of a long time in darkness.”
• “What a guarantee he will be so desperate to release your leader while in diplomacy governments prefer relationships with governments over relationships with lost prisoners and then Trump himself is such an unreliable Mojis…”
• “the lawyers of the movement. I had dreamed that he became a slick thief.”
• “Dreams should be seen even if they are in daylight.”

4. Conclusion

The provided text paints a picture of a Pakistan grappling with political instability, legal challenges, and a fractured opposition movement. The text suggests a deep sense of disillusionment, with a clear critique of the PTI’s leadership and strategic choices. The events following the 26th Amendment have created significant fault lines within the legal community and the text raises concerns about the future direction of Pakistani politics. The reliance on foreign intervention, particularly on the uncertain possibility of Trump’s victory, is portrayed as a desperate and ultimately futile strategy.

Pakistan’s Political and Legal Landscape: A Shifting Power Dynamic

Frequently Asked Questions

• What was the initial intention of the gathering mentioned in the text, and what events overshadowed it?
• The initial intention of the gathering was to pay tribute to Chief Justice Qazi Faiz Isa upon his retirement. However, this was overshadowed by the defeat of the Hamid Khan Group in the Supreme Court Bar election and the victory of the Asma Jahangir Group, as well as the impact of the lawyers’ community and the PTI protest movement related to the 26th Constitutional Amendment.
• What was the PTI’s stance on the 26th Constitutional Amendment, and how did this affect the legal community?
• The PTI (Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf) was openly angry and grieved about the 26th Constitutional Amendment, viewing it negatively. This amendment sparked a protest movement within the legal community, with some lawyers even threatening to dismantle the system “brick by brick.” The amendment became a focal point of contention, creating a divide between those who supported it and those who opposed it, impacting the overall political and legal atmosphere.
• How did the results of the Supreme Court Bar election reflect the political climate at the time?
• The victory of Mian Rauf Atta from the Asma Jahangir Group in the Supreme Court Bar election is seen as a significant reversal of previous plans and expectations. The defeat of the Hamid Khan Group, which was associated with a more confrontational stance, suggests a shift in the power dynamics within the legal community, reflecting broader political divisions and possibly a rejection of the more aggressive approaches.
• What role do female family members of political leaders play in the described political landscape?
• The text highlights a recurring pattern where wives or female family members step into leadership roles when male political leaders are imprisoned. Examples include Naseem Wali Khan, Kulsoom Nawaz, and the implied expectation of Bushri Bibi (wife of a PTI leader). They are depicted as carrying on the political struggle, mobilizing supporters, and keeping the movement alive, sometimes even overshadowing the imprisoned leaders themselves.
• What is the described role of Zulfi Bukhari, and what is his strategy for the release of the jailed PTI leader?

Zulfi Bukhari, described as a leader within the PTI, is leading protests against the situation. A central strategy involves trying to gain influence through connections to Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, with the expectation that if Trump wins the US election and later intervenes, it will lead to the release of the jailed PTI leader. This strategy is based on a personal relationship and ignores diplomatic norms, making it appear somewhat unrealistic.

• Why is the strategy of relying on Donald Trump’s potential intervention seen as potentially unreliable?
• The text indicates that Trump’s chances of winning the US election are considered uncertain. Additionally, Trump is described as an “unreliable Mojis” with a history of unpredictable relationships, as shown in the example of his interactions with North Korea. This reliance on a potentially lost prisoner over diplomatic relations between governments makes it unrealistic.
• Why are the PTI’s efforts to rally public support considered inadequate?
• The PTI’s inability to mobilize a significant public protest is considered a major weakness. The text notes that even within the PTI, a leader is seeking just 300,000 people to take action, suggesting a lack of broader support. The comparison to successful student movements in Dhaka and Kabul further highlights the current ineffectiveness of the PTI’s public protests.
• What underlying themes or patterns are evident in the political and legal dynamics discussed in this text?
• Several themes emerge: the impact of political decisions on the legal community, the role of women in continuing political struggles, the tendency to pursue unconventional or unrealistic methods for political gain, the prevalence of infighting and division within political movements, and the dependence on personal relations over established protocols. Additionally, the analysis illustrates a sense of chaos and lack of strategic coordination, suggesting a volatile political environment.

Supreme Court Bar Election: 2023 Results & Context

The sources discuss the Supreme Court Bar election in the context of other political events and figures. Here’s a breakdown:

• The Asma Jahangir Group won the Supreme Court Bar election, defeating the Hamid Khan Group [1]. Mian Rauf Atta of the Asma Jahangir Group was elected Chairman [2].
• This victory is seen as significant in light of the lawyers’ protest movement against the 26th Amendment and the broader political climate [1, 2].
• The lawyers’ community had been protesting the 26th Amendment, with some figures making strong statements against it [2].
• Hamid Khan is described as principled, despite the defeat of his group [1, 2].
• The sources suggest that the election result reflects the impact of the lawyers community and the PTI protest movement [1].
• The lawyers had initially hoped to have a different outcome [3]
• The results of the election reversed the plans of some individuals [4]

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Protest Movement

The sources discuss the PTI protest movement in relation to several key events and figures:

• The PTI’s anger over the Twenty-Sixth Constitutional Amendment is evident [1]. The sources suggest that the party was upset about not being able to take action against “their perverts” [1].
• The lawyers’ protest movement against the 26th Amendment is linked to the PTI, with some lawyers making strong statements that seem to align with PTI sentiments [2].
• There is a reference to a plan for a large-scale public protest, where a PTI leader hopes to gather three lakh people and attack the government through D Chowk, with the aim of bringing their leader from Adiala jail to the Prime Minister’s House [3, 4]. This plan is described as a “beautiful dream” [4].
• The sources suggests that PTI is struggling to create an effective public protest for the release of their leader [3].
• The PTI’s reliance on international figures like Donald Trump and his son-in-law Jared Kushner to influence the release of their leader is mentioned [5]. The sources suggest this strategy is unlikely to be effective [3, 6].
• The sources compare the current situation to past instances where wives of political leaders, such as Naseem Wali Khan and Kulsoom Nawaz, took prominent roles in protest movements when their husbands were arrested [5]. It is suggested that Bushra Bibi may take on a similar role for the PTI, leading the party’s movement [5, 7]. This comparison also suggests that women leaders can be very effective in mobilizing support [5].
• The sources make reference to the slogan “Boli Aman Muhammad Ali ki, give your life to the Caliphate” [5]. It is suggested that PTI youth may adopt a similar slogan in support of their leader [5].
• The sources suggest that the PTI movement is divided [7].

The 26th Amendment: Political and Legal Fallout

The 26th Amendment is a significant point of contention in the sources, particularly in relation to the PTI and the lawyers’ community. Here’s a breakdown:

• PTI’s Opposition: The PTI (Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf) was clearly against the 26th Amendment [1]. The sources suggest the party was angry about it and felt constrained in their ability to act against “their perverts” [1].
• Lawyers’ Protest Movement: The 26th Amendment sparked a protest movement among lawyers [2]. Some lawyers made strong statements against the amendment and threatened to “blow the entire system brick by brick” [2].
• Controversial Nature: Some figures, like Salman Akram Raja, made statements against the 26th Amendment that are described as going beyond “all limits and limitations,” which suggests that the amendment is highly controversial [2]. However, it is also stated that the 26th Amendment “has done a favor to the constitution of law and justice” [2].
• Impact on Supreme Court Bar Election: The lawyers’ protest movement against the 26th Amendment is linked to the Supreme Court Bar election results [1, 2]. The victory of the Asma Jahangir Group over the Hamid Khan Group is seen, in part, as a reflection of the impact of the 26th Amendment and the lawyers’ response to it [1, 2].
• Underlying Issue: The sources indicate that the 26th Amendment is not just a legal matter, but also has political implications [1]. It seems to be a point of contention that has mobilized both the PTI and the legal community [1, 2].

In summary, the 26th Amendment is portrayed as a catalyst for significant political and legal activity, triggering protests, influencing election results, and exposing divisions within both the PTI and the broader legal community.

Qazi Faiz Isa’s Retirement and its Political Aftermath

The sources discuss the retirement of Chief Justice Qazi Faiz Isa, but mainly in the context of other political events, rather than focusing on the details of his retirement itself. Here’s what the sources say about it:

• Tribute Intended: The original intention was to pay tribute to Chief Justice Qazi Faiz Isa on his retirement [1]. However, this plan seems to have been overshadowed by other events.
• Retirement as a Turning Point: His retirement is mentioned as a backdrop to other political events such as the Supreme Court Bar Election and the PTI protest movement. [1]
• Post-Retirement Activities: After his retirement, the Chief Justice is described as joining the Middle Temple Bar in London and receiving international awards and accolades [2].
• Contrast with Another Figure: The sources contrast Qazi Faiz Isa’s post-retirement activities with another powerful, unnamed figure who is said to be angry and “a dervish” [2].
• Protests in London: There is a mention of a protest led by Zulfi Bukhari against Qazi Faiz Isa in London [3].
• PTI’s Perspective: The PTI seems to see Qazi Faiz Isa as an opponent, with the protest in London indicating dissatisfaction with his actions or legacy [3]. The sources describe the protest as being organized by the founder of PTI, with workers expecting that Zulfi Bukhari will influence Donald Trump to help free their leader who is in custody. [3]
• Focus on Other Issues: The sources quickly shift away from Qazi Faiz Isa’s retirement to discuss the Supreme Court Bar election, the PTI protest movement, and the 26th Amendment, suggesting that these issues were of more immediate concern in the political climate at the time [1].

In summary, while the sources acknowledge Qazi Faiz Isa’s retirement, they do not delve into the specifics of his career or reasons for retirement, but instead treat it as a backdrop for discussing the political and legal landscape of the time. The focus is more on the political ramifications surrounding his retirement, particularly with the PTI and the legal community, and other associated events [1, 2].

Trump, PTI, and an Unlikely Release

The sources discuss the potential influence of Donald Trump’s election on the release of a PTI leader, but it presents it as an unlikely and somewhat far-fetched scenario. Here’s a breakdown of how Trump’s election is discussed:

• PTI’s Strategy: The PTI is hoping that Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, will influence Trump to help release their leader who is in government custody in Pakistan [1].
• Hope for Trump’s Victory: The PTI is hoping that Trump wins the election on November 5th [1]. They believe that if Trump is sworn in as President of the United States on January 20th, then Kushner might remind Trump that a “friend cricket player” is being held in Pakistan [1].
• Trump’s Intervention: The PTI hopes that Trump will then order the Pakistani government to release their leader, overriding the decisions of Pakistani courts [1].
• Unlikely Scenario: The sources portray this plan as improbable, referring to it as a “crooked pudding” that is “not straight” [2]. This is because Trump’s chances of winning the election on November 5 are considered very low, with Kamala Devi’s chances being much brighter [2].
• Unreliable Leader: Trump is described as an unreliable leader, who is not to be trusted [2, 3]. The sources suggest that even if Trump were to win, he is more likely to prioritize relationships with governments over the release of a “lost prisoner” [3].
• Diplomatic Realities: The sources note that in diplomacy, governments prefer relationships with other governments, not with individual prisoners [3].
• Counter-Argument: The sources also bring up the counter-argument that Pakistan has always requested the release of Afia Siddiqui from the US, and that perhaps the US would only help if Pakistan released Afia Siddiqui.
• Lack of Effective Protest: The sources point out that the PTI is not able to create the required public protest to put effective pressure to release their leader, thus they are resorting to this plan, even though it is unlikely to work [3].
• “Blind Thought”: The sources describe the hope that Trump will win the election as a “blind thought of a long time in darkness”, suggesting it is not a well-thought-out plan [2].

In summary, the sources suggest that the PTI is relying on a highly improbable scenario involving Trump’s election to influence the release of their leader. The sources express skepticism about this strategy, emphasizing Trump’s low chances of winning, his unreliability, and the realities of diplomatic relations.

By Amjad Izhar
Contact: amjad.izhar@gmail.com
https://amjadizhar.blog

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