After much deliberation and debate inside the courts, in the media and among the general public, the Supreme Court of Pakistan has given its decision on the controversial National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) that paved the way for the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) to come into power.
The Supreme Court declared the NRO null and void in a short order which was passed unanimously by a 17-member bench.
The landmark decision is set to create ripples and shake up the government as all old cases and convictions that had been dismissed under the ordinance can now be revived as per the court orders.
Dawn.com invites its readers to comment on the court’s historic decision. Do you think the decision will create instability as claimed by the government? Do you think this move will serve to discourage corruption? How will this decision impact the political and security situation in Pakistan? Do you think that politicians and bureaucrats accused of corruption will now be held accountable? Do you think that the debate regarding NRO focuses too much on politicians and less on accountability measures?
The following reader comments do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Dawn Media Group.
I feel that the court’s order to reopen Swiss account cases is quite unrealistic. Somebody has to pursue the cases. In this case it has to be govt. of Pakistan. Do you believe, govt. is going to pursue the case against its own President and he will not do anything. On the other hand if the cases are not pursued, that will be dismissed automatically. In addition do you feel, the president will step down only on moral grounds when he knows that this action will land him in jail and lead to extremely consequences.
A commendable decision but a beginning of the end. Let us hope the Govt. of the day heeds the orders of the court and bring the culprits to book. The nations money to be recovered from the looters. Salute to the Supreme Court of Pakistan. Long live CJ Chowdhary. Pakistan Zindabad
I believe it is a good ruling by Supreme Court and all ministers and government servants who benefited from NRO should immediately resign.
The resigns will not only improve the image of PPP in masses but will also be a political advantage in the long term.
Decision made by SC is awesome, depicting that after almost half a century at least our judiciary is an autonomous institution. I fully agree with SC. Hats off to SC.
I hope that the SC will give the orders to execute cases in the shortest possible time and punish all who are involved including the top people. Justice must not be delayed!
There is need for freezing all affected person’s accounts; here and abroad and get the looted money back so that no one commits such crimes in future.
The Supreme Court decision is a landmark in the history of Pakistan. This will pave the way for making Pakistan corruption free, although a long way to go. We should not forget the role of media whose contribution as a watch dog is remarkable.
We should also congratulate present government who patiently listened the judgment and did not create law and order situation.
Now the time has come that PPP will re-organize the party and ministry and remove effected from NRO. Opposition should not ask for mid-term election. Let them complete the tenure. I am sure PPP has good and intellectual people whom party should bring them. Present government should think for the country and get rid of “Friends Culture” in giving ministry.
Now the time has come that court decides the cases on merit and quickly. This will improve image in the world.
I am now confident that independent justice along with free media will help in eradicating corruption and giving confidence.
I am not a PPP fan and I fully support court’s judgment on NRO, this ordinance was against the very constitution of Pakistan however I believe this judgment won’t bring any drastic change in Pakistan since it mainly covers Bureaucrats, MQM and the PPP but PML N, Baloch Separatists etc.
Decision of Supreme Court was very much expected in the context of the ill doings of NRO. Let there be a course of action to lead the country towards corruption free environment.
May Allah save our country from the elite class involved in looting our national wealth.
Well done SC but remember that the people at the top in our country are have no shame. I pray for Pakistan
YES it is the right decision and this is what it is supposed to be in under a fair judicial system. Anyone whether king or a slave will be accountable for his/her acts in front of court.
Now we have to see weather all these corruption cases are carried out in court on time and legitimate verdict is given.
Trying to be a good citizen and where I can, showing people right path.
Pakistani public has put a lot of hope in the Supreme Court actually pursuing this issue to completion. Just striking down the NRO is not enough. All the guilty parties must be brought to justice while all the innocent with fabricated cases must be vindicated. That is the only way to move forward. I hope this does not become a pursuit of personnel vendetta by Justice Ifthikhar. Looking forward to fair and balanced trails against all accused. Law and order are the basic foundation of any progressive nation.
The decision to do away with NRO is not the end but just the beginning. Now it should be ensured that NRO beneficiaries are made to pay their dues, otherwise this will be another eye wash, another decision just to make the general public happy with no end result. Laws are there waiting to be implemented if done so the fruit of the same can be unimaginable. Justice delayed is justice denied.
Fantastic Decision. Well Done SC.
Alhamdulillah, the historic and landmark decision by SC have brought back our hopes and have also raised the heads of all the Pakistanis living in foreign countries. We have been depressed by giving answers to people of other nations about corruption and terrorism in Pakistan. At least we have a clear path to fix one issue now. Keep up SC, keep up Pakistan.
SC decision is good and generally effects the politicians in the Govt.
This is without doubt a landmark decision by the Supreme Court of Pakistan. There’s been a different standard of justice for the common man and the elites in Pakistan, and with NRO, even a different law for the elites was sketched. Salute to the courts for rebutting this black law and I hope that everyone will get the same justice in the coming days as well.
Long live Pakistan.
I totally support the judgment.
This is the best thing could have happened to Pakistan. The trust in justice system by common man is foremost important thing for a real stability. It’s assuring for citizen that now he has a place to go for justice.
So good luck for peaceful prosperous South Asia
What’s the benefit of this historic step if Zardari will hide under the immunity due to a President?
The logical sequel to this judgment is to strip him of that immunity and bring him to justice.
All men are equal in the eyes of the law.
This thus expected bravo now the sitting Govt. should show greatness to comply in letter and spirit with the Highest Court verdict.
Hassan.
It is a positive sign that Pakistan as a state is moving into a right direction. And a major landmark is judiciary taking big decisions on merit.
I agree that it might cause some ripples and adversaries in the current political system but that would be like having a wound after a major surgery. I believe that we as a nation need to be patient and consistent while going through the temporary turbulence to come out as a brave, mature and developed nation.
The decision is a landmark. I hope, due to this our country will prosper and we will march to a revolution. Everyone, including Mr. Zardari, named in the list should resign and face the courts.
No question that it is a landmark decision by the SC! it should take charge of and hear all of the previous cases, particularly of the powerful elite in an expeditious manner; & somehow make it illegal for any such person to be in a position of authority, until their cases are decided. I pray for the success of our SC judges – but I am not too hopeful of a real positive impact! Our repeated past history testifies to the fact that our so called ‘beloved leaders’ know the art of always of dodging the bullet! I wish my apprehensions would prove to be completely wrong….
This is definitely a beginning we see light at the end of the tunnel now.
Hopefully, corruption in Public offices will begin to decelerate.
Judiciary is gaining strength with every passing day. I hope that our Parliament will also follow suit and be able to summon and prosecute the highest offices, whenever circumstances call for, of the country in the end – whenever the end is reached. The SC decision is thus only a beginning towards that end goal.
I think it is clearly a ray of light in darkness. I also think that independent and fair media has played a crucial role in this victory as well. The investigations carried out by the media, constant vigilance and keeping spotlights on these people kept the issue of corruption alive and brought this to public and judiciary view with greater force. I think we as a nation, can do better. We should follow the example of lawyers and speak against this corrupt mafia to bring them down for good. Now is the time to stand up and speak against the evil.