Reinstated Chief Justice Iftikar M Chaudhry’s chief counsel Aitzaz Ahsan has termed President Musharraf’s Presidential Reference against his client as one which has plunged the country into “a grievous crisis”. Ahsan, a prominent voice in the Opposition, has sought an apology or resignation from Musharraf. This is the first time in Pakistan’s history that a verdict has been pronounced against a military ruler. “He (Musharraf) is in an awkward position. Morally and ethically, he should apologise to the people of Pakistan for putting them in this grievous crisis. If he thinks he is an honourable soldier, he should resign,” Ahsan told The Sunday Express over the phone from Islamabad. Asked whether Chaudhry’s reinstatement may pose judicial challenges for Musharraf as he seeks another term in the upcoming elections, Ahsan said it might in an “oblique sort of a way”. Ahsan stressed that Chaudhry’s victory is a major achievement for civil society in Pakistan and has proved that the judiciary has the upper hand. Asked how this development would augur for Indo-Pak relations, Ahsan said: “If institutions become stable in Pakistan, we can counter evil forces like the extremists around today. Indo-Pak ties can be strengthened only if our internal institutions are strong enough and we don’t have domestic worries.”
