=qsaark;409705]Your interpretation of the clauses is not correct. If I go with what you are saying than only civilians are subjected to the article 6 of the constitution? You are suggesting that a military dictator is above the law i.e. the constitution? If that is true than what is the use of the article 6 in the constitution?
It is not interpretation. They are all part of the constitution. You are only confusing yourself by mixing up. Please make this clear. The Parliament decides who is to be subjected to Article-6.
Article-6 (3) [5] [Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament)] shall by law provide for the punishment of persons found guilty of high treason.
The parliament can discuss, make, amend, alter, delete or approve the constitution.
What is law? Anything the Parliament approves with 2/3 majority, passed by Senate and signed by President.
The Parliament APPROVED 17th amendment with 2/3 majority protected under 270-AA of the constitution, passed by Senate, signed by President and later also endorsed by the Supreme Court. It has become the constitution of Pakistan, that protects 1999 coup, and CANNOT be challeneged in any court.
Here is self acceptance from CJP Iftikhar:
Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan
But he's wrong where he assumes SC is empowered to review 17th amendment. That's job of the Parliament and not judicial activism. Read, it says very clearly, that 270-AA cannot be called into question in any court.
These arguments I am hearing for the first time and I don’t think they are correct.
If these politicians were to accept that the constitution provides immunity to military takeovers - there would be no reason for them to show-off their presence on media talk-shows and no reason to curse Musharraf. They approve such laws in Parlaiment to protect military takeover - hence their denial.
Why did the Supreme Court endorse 17th amendment, military takeover, uniform case and amendments to constitution?
Why did MMA support 17th amendment? They got NWFP government. Now its part of constitution.
If they want to apply article-6, let them do so in full:
Article-6 (2) Any person aiding or abetting the acts mentioned in clause (1) shall likewise be guilty of high treason.
Your point that the Parliament decides what is high treason and what is not, well it has already been decided back in 1973 when the constitution was made, and the narration of the article 6 is very clear.
Yes, it was decided back in 1973 what is high treason.
How the constitution is to be amended was also decided way back in 1973. Parliament 2/3 approval, senate and signed by President.
If the Parliament desires, it can also kick out this Article-6 from the constitution.
In simple words, anybody (there are no exclusion criteria for the military dictators) who tries to adulterate the constitution by force or by the show of force (through intimidating the legislature) is subjected to high treason. The only thing that is left for the parliament to do is to decide the punishment as described in article 6(3).
Yes there is. If the Parliament revokes all such amendments to the constitution with 2/3 majority. However, that would apply to future interventions and not past.
Constitution is NOT a self-governing body nor implements automatically.
Ever wonder why Zulfi Bhutto implemented Emergency, within hours of approving the constitution? Why our country remained under emergency from 1965 to 1985? Where was treason applied?
You may also want to read the Part XII Chapter 2. Armed Forces to understand what is expected from the armed forces.
245. Functions of Armed Forces.
(1) The Armed Forces shall, under the directions of the Federal Government, defend Pakistan against external aggression or threat of war, and, subject to law, act in aid of civil power when called upon to do so.
I have read this. These are basic laws for functioning of the armed forces. Nothing to do with military takeover.
A number of amendments are made here in order to justify the unconstitutional actions of the military dictators. All of such amendments fall under the narration of the article 6(1) as the adulteration of the constitution.
Amendments themselves do not constitute adulteration nor instigates Article-6.
If amendments are approved through Parliament - they are justified and hence were accepted by Supreme Court ALWAYS. Like Nawaz introduced 13th and 14th amendments.
Parliament of 2002-2007 was a phony parliament; the heads of the two major political parties were in exile,
There is no such thing as phoney parliament. On one hand, people accuse Musharraf of allowing them back and on the other, accuses him of keeping the two corrupt at bay.