Zafar ali shah vs general Pervez Musharraf (PLD 2000 SC 869) was a landmark judgement. It holds significant importance in the history of Pakistan. In this judgment, the dictatorship was granted legal status through Supreme Court orders.
Key points:
| points | explanation |
|---|---|
| Judgement ref. | PLD 2000 S.C 869 |
| Judge: | Irshad Hasan Khan |
| Judges bench: | 12 Judges |
| Emergency Date: | 14-10-1999 |
| Suspended : | Nation Assembly and Senate |
| Grounds: | for state survival and state necessity |
| writ filed in the Supreme Court | u/s : 91(4) and 184(3) |
| Petitioner : | Zafar Ali shah (Member of the National assembly) |
| Petition (status) | Rejected |
| Theory: | under kelson Theory |
| Decision in favour : | Pervaz Musharraf |
| PCO means: | Provisional constitutional order 1999 |
| Pervez Musharraf took | Extra Constitutional Steps to proclaimed Emergency (GAT23-2-25) |
Zafar Ali Shah Case TEST
Short Case Detail in Urdu:
Facts in Urdu;
اکتوبر 1999 کو جنرل پرویز مشرف نے نواز شریف کی حکومت کو ختم کر کے آئین پاکستان کو معطل کردیا اور ملک میں ایمرجنسی لگا دی ۔
اور ملک میں پروویژنل کونسٹیٹیوشن آرڈر(پی سی او) کا اطلاق کر دیا ۔
اس آرڈر کے تحت چیف آیگزیکٹو کو کئی اختیار حاصل تھے جنکے تحت اس کے کسی بھی اقدام کو عدالت میں چیلنج نہیں کیا جا سکتا تھا ۔
اور پھرپرویز مشرف خود ہی چیف ایگزیکٹوبھی بن گیا ۔
Writ in Supreme Court:
ظفرعلی شاہ (رکنِ پارلیمئٹ )نے پروویز مشرف کے اس اقدام کے خلاف سپریم کورٹ میں ”رٹ” دائر کر دی ۔
Decision:
سپریم کورٹ نے ایک مرتبہ پھر کیلسن تھیوری کا سہارا لیتے ہوئے پروویز مشرف کے مارشل لاء کو وقت کی ضرورت قراردے دیا ۔
اور مزید کہا کہ ممبران پارلیمنٹ کرپشن میں ملوث پائے گئے جس سے ملک کے ادارے تباہ ہو رہے ہیں ۔
سپریم کورٹ نے اپنے فیصلہ میں مزید یہ بھی کہا کہ پروویز مشرف اگلے تین سالوں میں ملک میں صاف اور شفاف الیکشن کروائے گا اور اقتدار عوام کے منتخب نمائندوں کے حوالے کر دے گا ۔
Effect:
سپریم کورٹ کے اس فیصلہ سے ایک مرتبہ پھر آمریت / ڈیکٹیٹر شپ کو قانونی طور پر سپورٹ کیا گیا ۔
Case Detail in English:
Zafar Ali Shah case is a landmark constitutional case in the legal history of Pakistan. In this case Pervez Musharraf Martial Law was questioned out in the Supreme court of Pakistan. Supreme court Judgment give the favor to military take over in the country as the doctrine of necessity.
CASE TITLE AND CITATION
The formal title of this case is Zafar Ali Shah & Others vs. General Pervez Musharraf, Chief Executive of Pakistan. Its citation is PLD 2000 Supreme Court 869.
Background of the Case
The basic story of this case law starts in 1999. At that time, Nawaz Sharif was the Prime Minister. Musharraf was the Chief of Army Staff. Due to the Kargil War, they didn’t trust each other. In the distrust environment, Pervez Musharraf go on the official visit of Sri Lanka.
Nawaz Sharif’s Plan and Conflict
Then Nawaz Sharif Starts planning and he appoints new army chief named General Zia-ud-Din Butt but the other senior army officer don’t accept the new appointment. One more extra thing is that the he also gave orders not to allow Pervez Musharraf’s plane to land in the country.
Military Coup at Karachi Airport
But some military coups enter into the Karachi Airport and take the control of airport and the plane was landed. General Pervez Musharraf spoke the nation and inform the whole story that what type of orders issued by Prime Minister during his official visit.
Army Takeover and Proclamation of Emergency
On 14 October 1999 the army take over the control of Pakistan including all the official offices and arrest many political persons. Pervez Musharraf issued the Proclamation of Emergency Order. Due to this order he announced that temporarily he dismissed National Assembly and Senate.
Suspension of the Constitution
He also Suspends the Constitution of Pakistan and issued the order of “Provincial Constitution Order” or ‘PCO’ order. Under this order, he gave all the powers to the Chief Executive, and his orders could be challenged in any court.
Pervez Musharraf Becomes Chief Executive
After That, Pervez Musharraf become himself the Chief Executive. Due to the PCO order, he also had the power to amend the constitution any time. In the addiction to power he also issued the ‘Oath of Judges Order 1999‘. all fresh and old judges takes oath under PCO order.
Legal Challenge in Supreme Court
Zafar Ali Shah and some other field writ petition against Pervez Musharraf in the supreme court under section 184(3) and challenge his Martial law in the country.
Formation of Supreme Court Bench
Meanwhile, a bench of 12 judges was formed and it was headed by Chief Justice Irshad Hasan Khan.
Key Legal Questions
This bench had two main Question firstly s that whether they (Supreme Court) have the authority to review this petition? . Secondly the Pervez Musharraf Martial law is valid or not?
Supreme Court’s Judgment
On the first question, Supreme court declare that they have the inherent power and no law or the body can restrict him. In short while in the response of second Question Supreme court give the long judgments and provide his favour with the kelson theory that is related to the doctrine of necessity.
Justifications for Military Takeover
The important points of this judgements are here.
- The prime minister have the allegation of corruption in the country.
- Minsters are also involved in corruption.
- Country financial condition is also weak due to the corruption.
- Prime Minister use the power of section 58(2)b illegally while he has other options are present.
Granting of Three-Year Rule to Musharraf
One most important thing is that the Supreme Court provided the dictator Pervez Musharraf with a 3-year duration to improve the country’s condition.He was also ordered to hold general elections in the country after the end of this duration. Before this three-year duration, he announced general elections in the country.
Read Also: Pakistan Penal Code Notes
Thanks for such amazing task .we need to appreciate respected teacher
Thanks so much for your appreciation and positive feedback! JazakAllah 😊
Excellent work. This site is really helpful. Close to being the primary source for Law GAT knowledge.