Is Article 58(2)b draconian?
FORMER Supreme Court judge Fakhruddin G. Ebrahim (one-time governor of Sindh, Attorney-General of Pakistan and federal law minister in subsequence) says as reported in the Dawn issue of March 10 that Article 58(2)b of the Constitution is a draconian section and must be cast out. This is disconcerting to ones mind. In my letter appearing in your issue on March 5, I had elaborated the need for holding on to the said article for some time in view of the chequered performance by our politicians in the past. When the president, while applying his judicious mind and with good intent, reaches the conclusion that the government is not functioning in accordance with the Constitution and there is evidence of loot and plunder of our national wealth, this article would serve as a subterfuge to dislodge the government. It is for the apex court to determine the good intent of the president or otherwise and give its verdict. Would Mr Ebrahim care to expound on this, as to its noxious effect. However,
