It has been reported that the Supreme Court of Pakistan has issued a warrant summoning the Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) self-exiled leader Altaf Hussain for contempt of court after his controversial speech against the judiciary. In his speech Hussain criticized judges and made disparaging remarks about the judiciary. After the Supreme Court ruling against Hussain, MQM supporters, instead of abiding by the law, immediately started a protest rally and closed all areas of Pakistan's economic and social hub Karachi which only served to ensure that the country's weak economy suffered further heavy losses. The reality is that after long years of dictatorship, the judiciary in Pakistan is still passing through a critical stage of its development. After brave decisions were taken by the Supreme Court in several high-profile cases against corrupt politicians and also against the country's powerful secret agencies, things are currently difficult for the judiciary. The judiciary is now the prime target of a baseless ongoing media campaign against honorable judges. The case of the son of the Chief Justice is only one example of how corrupt politicians and bureaucrats create obstacles in the path of the judiciary. On TV talk shows government ministers and top personalities using abusive language that one does not want to repeat. Unfortunately, the nation's political leaders have failed to set an example for ordinary people of the need to respect the law and even party leaders use foul and abusive language against the judiciary which is very unfortunate.
