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On November 28, 1997, the Supreme Court of Pakistan was stormed by supporters of then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who intended to disrupt a contempt of court hearing against him. [1] [2] [3]
The assailants, largely from the youth wing of the Pakistan Muslim League (N) and allegedly led by some of Sharif's legislative allies, caused the hearing to be adjourned. [4]
In reaction to this incident, the then Chief Justice of Pakistan, Syed Sajjad Ali Shah, requested military support to secure the judiciary, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation. [4] The confrontation was part of a larger feud between Shah and Sharif, particularly concerning judicial appointments and Shah’s annulment of a constitutional amendment that had previously barred lawmakers from defying party directives. [4]
Background
The tension between Syed Sajjad Ali Shah and Nawaz Sharif had been intensifying since Sharif's reinstatement in February 1997. [5] The situation worsened in August when Shah suggested promoting five judges to the Supreme Court, a proposition resisted by Sharif who disapproved of two nominees. [5] In a countermove, Sharif tried to reduce the number of Supreme Court judges through an ordinance, which he later retracted following opposition from the Supreme Court Bar Association of Pakistan. [5] In retaliation, Shah initiated corruption proceedings against Sharif and filed contempt charges for his criticisms of the suspension of the anti-defection law, setting the stage for an unprecedented trial of a sitting prime minister. [5]
The friction between the judiciary and the executive culminated in December when Shah attempted to reinforce judicial authority by overturning the 13th Amendment and holding Sharif in contempt. [5] The action met opposition from a rival faction within the judiciary, leading to a deadlock in the Supreme Court. [5]
Amidst this turmoil, conflicting rulings from different benches exacerbated the crisis. Despite substantial opposition, Shah pushed forward with Sharif's trial, which ultimately led to a violent takeover of the Supreme Court by Sharif's supporters. [5]
References
- ^ "November 28,1997: Unruly mob storms top Pakistan court". gulfnews.com. November 27, 2017.
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^ Lau, Martin (January 1, 1997).
"Pakistan". Yearbook of Islamic and Middle Eastern Law Online. 4 (1): 444–454.
doi:
10.1163/221129898X00305 (inactive 2024-06-29) – via brill.com.
{{ cite journal}}: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of June 2024 ( link) - ^ Bonner, Raymond (November 29, 1997). "Protest Disrupts Contempt Case Against Pakistan Premier". The New York Times – via NYTimes.com.
- ^ a b c Archives, L. A. Times (November 29, 1997). "Pakistan Premier's Backers Storm Court". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Pak PM Nawaz Sharif pulls off democratic coup in his battle with the President and CJ". India Today. December 15, 1997.