Ali Ahmad Kurd
Encyclopedia
Ali Ahmad Kurd was the President of Supreme Court Bar Association and a key leader of the Lawyers' Movement
in Pakistan
.He belongs to the famous Baloch tribe of Kurd
related to Magsi Balochis.
He is known for his aggressive speeches and outspoken attitude towards the military regime of General Pervaiz Musharraf. He served as a lawyer on lead counsel for the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP), Mr Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry
in the reference filed against him by General Pervez Musharraf
. Along with the CJP and other lawyers in his defense team, Mr Kurd has been addressing the Pakistani nation on the issue of judicial independence in various bar councils.
His speech during the seminar in the Supreme Court in Islamabad on "Separation of Powers and Judicial Independence" invoked the displeasure of the army and General Musharraf's government for its aggressive tone. Soon after this seminar, the government forbade the electronic media to cover any more bar council addresses by the Chief Justice
and his lawyers. Then on June 3, 2007 a draconian
"Pemra Ordinance 2007" was enacted that aimed to gag
the electronic media. Due to domestic and international pressure the government was forced to withdraw the PEMRA ordinance. However, there was a ban on broadcasting the visit of Chief Justice to bar associations across the country.
Mr Kurd's addresses to the bar councils (below) are of historic significance. No one in Pakistan's history has addressed a military ruler or the army in such a belligerent tone on live TV. Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain (president of ruling PML-Q) added to controversy by stating that those who raises slogans against the Pakistan army should be shot.
a year earlier. Upon protests from lawyers, he was released.
After the imposition of emergency in Pakistan on November 3, 2007, Kurd was again arrested along with the other prominent leaders of the lawyers movement.
After imposing martial law in Pakistan on Nov 3rd 2007, Musharraf ordered the arrest of Ali Ahmad Kurd. He was kept under arrest for four months in Quetta and was released on March 4, 2008.
. Enough of this fooling around! Enough of this fooling around! Today a man on the basis of his arrogance! Today a man on the basis of his haughtiness has dared to challenge the Chief Justice of Pakistan. If you are men you'll stay in the battlefield and not turn your back."
Kurd says the government has taken a wise decision in critical situation in the country.
Lawyers' Movement
The Lawyers' Movement was the name given to the popular mass protest movement started by the lawyers of Pakistan in response to the dictatorial actions of 9 March 2007, by the country's military ruler General Pervez Musharraf, when he unconstitutionally sacked Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, the Chief...
in Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
.He belongs to the famous Baloch tribe of Kurd
Kurd (tribe)
Kurd is a Baloch tribe in the Balochistan, Sindh, and Punjab provinces of Pakistan. Kurds speak both Balochi and Brahui . Also a Sub-clan in Mazari tribe..famous for their gallantry against bugti's..Qadoo khan Kherd or Kurd was Commander who destroyed Siyah-aff or dera bugti with mazari...
related to Magsi Balochis.
He is known for his aggressive speeches and outspoken attitude towards the military regime of General Pervaiz Musharraf. He served as a lawyer on lead counsel for the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP), Mr Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry
Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry
Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry is the current Chief Justice of Pakistan.He became chief justice of Pakistan's Supreme Court in 2005 and soon became not only a central figure in the nation's political struggles but an icon to the country's legal profession and others campaigning for the rule of law...
in the reference filed against him by General Pervez Musharraf
Pervez Musharraf
Pervez Musharraf , is a retired four-star general who served as the 13th Chief of Army Staff and tenth President of Pakistan as well as tenth Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee. Musharraf headed and led an administrative military government from October 1999 till August 2007. He ruled...
. Along with the CJP and other lawyers in his defense team, Mr Kurd has been addressing the Pakistani nation on the issue of judicial independence in various bar councils.
His speech during the seminar in the Supreme Court in Islamabad on "Separation of Powers and Judicial Independence" invoked the displeasure of the army and General Musharraf's government for its aggressive tone. Soon after this seminar, the government forbade the electronic media to cover any more bar council addresses by the Chief Justice
Chief Justice
The Chief Justice in many countries is the name for the presiding member of a Supreme Court in Commonwealth or other countries with an Anglo-Saxon justice system based on English common law, such as the Supreme Court of Canada, the Constitutional Court of South Africa, the Court of Final Appeal of...
and his lawyers. Then on June 3, 2007 a draconian
Draconian
Draconian is an adjective meaning great severity, that derives from Draco, an Athenian law scribe under whom small offences had heavy punishments .Draconian may also refer to:* Draconian , a Death/doom metal band from Sweden...
"Pemra Ordinance 2007" was enacted that aimed to gag
Gag order
A gag order is an order, sometimes a legal order by a court or government, other times a private order by an employer or other institution, restricting information or comment from being made public.Gag orders are often used against participants involved in a lawsuit or criminal trial...
the electronic media. Due to domestic and international pressure the government was forced to withdraw the PEMRA ordinance. However, there was a ban on broadcasting the visit of Chief Justice to bar associations across the country.
Mr Kurd's addresses to the bar councils (below) are of historic significance. No one in Pakistan's history has addressed a military ruler or the army in such a belligerent tone on live TV. Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain (president of ruling PML-Q) added to controversy by stating that those who raises slogans against the Pakistan army should be shot.
Arrest
Kurd was arrested on April 29, 2007 in Quetta on the charges of inciting people during an absentia funeral of Nawab Akbar BugtiNawab Akbar Bugti
Akbar Khan Bugti was the Tumandar of the Bugti tribe of Baloch and served as Minister of State for Interior and Governor of Balochistan Province in Pakistan.He is the head of the Bugti Family...
a year earlier. Upon protests from lawyers, he was released.
After the imposition of emergency in Pakistan on November 3, 2007, Kurd was again arrested along with the other prominent leaders of the lawyers movement.
After imposing martial law in Pakistan on Nov 3rd 2007, Musharraf ordered the arrest of Ali Ahmad Kurd. He was kept under arrest for four months in Quetta and was released on March 4, 2008.
Address to Peshawar High Court Bar on April 21, 2007
"He is not a man who has no passion, and that passion is useless that does not challenge general Pervez MusharrafPervez Musharraf
Pervez Musharraf , is a retired four-star general who served as the 13th Chief of Army Staff and tenth President of Pakistan as well as tenth Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee. Musharraf headed and led an administrative military government from October 1999 till August 2007. He ruled...
. Enough of this fooling around! Enough of this fooling around! Today a man on the basis of his arrogance! Today a man on the basis of his haughtiness has dared to challenge the Chief Justice of Pakistan. If you are men you'll stay in the battlefield and not turn your back."
Address to Supreme Court Bar on May 26, 2007
Address to Multan High Court Bar on June 24, 2007
Ali Ahmad Kurd Speaks After CJP Reinstatement
Ali Ahmad Kurd: Former President of Supreme Court Bar
On 28 October 2008, Ali Ahmed Kurd was elected as the president of supreme court bar. He secured 854 votes and his opponent got 401 votes.Ali Ahmad Kurd: On Restoration of Chief Justice and other four Justices
President Supreme Court Bar Ali Ahmed Kurd has said restoration of Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry and other judges will bring stability in the country.Kurd says the government has taken a wise decision in critical situation in the country.
Role after restoration of Chief Justice
He took a U turn and supported [PPP] and since has expressed intention to join politics. His popularity immediately turned into hatred and he has been under fire from several circles including lawyers community.See also
- Pakistan Bar CouncilPakistan Bar CouncilPakistan Bar Council was established by the Parliament in 1973 under the Legal Practitioners and Bar Councils Act. It is the highest elected body of lawyers. it has twenty members elected throughout the country representing each province. The Members of the Pakistan Bar Council are elected on the...
(PBC) - Supreme Court Bar Association of PakistanSupreme Court Bar Association of PakistanThe Supreme Court Bar Association is a legal body comprising the supreme court lawyers in Pakistan. It is currently headed by Asma Jahangir. Ms. Jahangir has been a leading human rights activist and lawyer in South Asia...
(SCBA) - Fakhruddin G. EbrahimFakhruddin G. EbrahimThe Honourable Justice Fakhruddin G. Ebrahim , TI, is a retired Pakistani Associate Judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, and Senior Advocate Supreme Court, and peace activist. Ebrahim also served as the interim Law Minister from 18 July 1993 till 19 October 1993, and interim Justice Minister 5...