ISLAMABAD: Former President Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) Aitzaz Ahsan has said that under the constitution, no ruler or government has the right to sack any judge forcefully or in revenge and that was the bone of contention with Pervez Musharraf. Talking to media men here, Aitzaz Ahsan said that if a judge was involved in any misconduct or allegations of corruption were raised against him then the issue should be brought into Supreme Judicial Council under Article 209.

Commending the role of media for the restoration of the judiciary, Aitzaz Ahsan said that the lawyers’ struggling were based on principles and they were fighting for justice. The veteran lawyer leader while responding to a question said that the restoration of the judiciary filled the nine years vacuum and the judiciary would fulfill expectations of the people but they have to wait for some time.

Talking on PCO judges, he said that no decision in this regard would be taken in haste and the said that situation was being considered carefully, adding that in his personal view, judges taken oath on November 3, 2007 unconstitutionally. Commenting on the performance of the incumbent government, Aitzaz Ahsan said that it was failed to meet requirements of people, however, he expressed his satisfaction over overall performance of the Parliament.

Expressing his views on Nizam-e-Adl Regulations (NAR), the former President SCBA said that it (NAR) was imposed on the gunpoint and not on wishes of people of Swat. He also announced that lawyers in all over the country would observe black day on May 12 against violence in Karachi on that day.-ONLINE

Chief justice Abdul Hameed Dogar has completed his term as Chief Justice of Pakistan today. Restored Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry resumes his office as Chief Justice of Pakistan on March 22. Dogar held farewell meetings with all SC judges and staff here on Friday.

Meanwhile Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry has taken charge as the Chief Justice of Pakistan on early Sunday. In a statement released by Supreme Court of Pakistan, it is said that justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry has taken charge as the Chief Justice of Pakistan.

Former president of Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) Aitzaz Ahsan said that Naheed khan, a close friend of Benazir Bhutto, would raise the Pakistan’s flag on the residence of Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry on March 22. Taking to media man, he said that it was a desire of late Benazir Bhutto who would be fulfilled by her friend.

Former president SCBA said that the flag-rising ceremony would be started on at 11:00 am March 22. Aitzaz Ahsan said that leader of the political parties which participated in the judiciary’s restoration movement would participate in the ceremony but Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry would not attend the ceremony.

Input From Agencies

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani pledged yesterday to restore deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry and end a crackdown on activists.

Main opposition leader Nawaz Sharif welcomed what he called a historic achievement and promptly called off a “long march” that was to lay siege to the centers of power in the capital.

Gilani’s climb-down, in a dawn address to the nation, followed talks with President Asif Ali Zardari and army chief Ashfaq Pervez Kayani to end political uncertainty. “I announce today that Iftikhar Chaudhry and all other deposed judges will be reinstated from March 21, when the current chief justice retires,” Gilani said.

Zardari has come under massive domestic and foreign pressure to defuse a standoff with Sharif, who urged the masses to rise up against the government to demand that judges sacked by former President Pervez Musharraf be reinstated.

To further ease tension, Gilani said his government had decided to file a petition against the Feb. 25 Supreme Court ruling that banned Sharif and his brother Shahbaz from contesting elections.

“It is a historic day, a great day which will change the country’s destiny,” said Sharif from inside his car in Gujranwala, were he was showered with rose petals and mobbed by a sea of jubilant supporters. “Today, the nation has received very happy news. We had said that we will restore the independent judiciary, and by the grace of Allah, we have achieved it,” he said. “We are now calling off this long march,” Sharif said, following discussions with lawyers and political allies, including Imran Khan and Jamaat-e-Islami chief Qazi Hussain Ahmad.

Gilani also overturned a repressive government clampdown designed to foil the “long march,” ordering authorities to release all those arrested and declaring the immediate lifting of a ban on public demonstrations. “I want to congratulate the nation. Let us celebrate this with dignity,” said Gilani.

The prime minister later called lawyers’ leader Aitzaz Ahsan and “congratulated him on the restoration of deposed judges.”

The United States welcomed Gilani’s announcement as a move to “defuse a serious confrontation” and a “substantial step toward national reconciliation,” in a statement issued by its embassy in Islamabad.

But a spokesman for Chaudhry sounded a note of caution. “There have been so many broken promises in the past. A lot of mistrust has been created. We have to see the official notification,” Athar Minallah told reporters, stressing repeatedly that he was only expressing his own opinion.

“It’s the first time in the history of Pakistan that a movement launched by the middle class has proved successful,” said retired judge Tareq Mehmood.

Jubilant supporters waved flags and cheered outside Chaudhry’s home, and the grinning jurist briefly made an appearance on the balcony.

“No country can progress without an independent judiciary and the government — by restoring the chief justice and other judges — has also realized it, and we think it is a big success,” said Pakistan Supreme Court Bar Association chief Ali Ahmad Kurd.

Chaudhry was dismissed by Musharraf on Nov. 3, 2007, along with 60 other judges, 53 of whom have since been reinstated. The former military ruler feared the judges would declare him ineligible to contest a presidential election while in military uniform. He first fired Chaudhry in March 2007, but the judge was reinstated on a Supreme Court appeal.

Courtesy: Arab News

Pitched battles broke out between police and participants of “long march” for restoration of an independent judiciary turned into ugly clashes. Police in riot gear confronted a previously peaceful protest near the high court buildings, launching baton charges and firing teargas rounds at thousands of marchers, who in turn pelted officers with stones. Muslim League (N) leader Khawaja Saad Rafiq has said over 2000 policemen have cordoned off the residence of Mian Nawaz Sharif. Talking to media outside the residence of Nawaz Sharif in Lahore’s Model Town. Mobs accompanying the convoy of opposition leader Nawaz Sharif smashed the windows of buses parked along the route. Others torched tyres, sending plumes of black smoke into the blue sky over a usually bustling boulevard littered with stones and empty teargas shells.

It is said all roads of Pakistan have been sealed, hostels have been vacated and the government has paralyzed the life all over the country.

Entry points of Islamabad, Pindi blocked
Meanwhile all entry points of the twin cities of Rawalpindi, Islamabad and adjoining areas have been blocked to stop the participants of long march, making it difficult for ambulances and Rescue 1122 vehicles to operate. The authorities have erected large barricades at Gojar Khan, Deena, Rwat, Mandra, Sohada and other points to block the marchers from entering the federal capital. Every vehicle is being thoroughly searched by the police. All CNG stations and petrol pumps located at roads leading to Rawalpindi and Islamabad have been closed for two days. According to reports, it has become difficult for the patients to reach hospital due the blockades.

Sharifs movements was confined:
While Muslim League-N Quaid Mian Nawaz Sharif has defied an apparent house arrest order to head for a protest in Lahore. Describing the order – denied by the government – as “illegal” he left his Lahore home urging people to join him. Police fired tear gas at the stone-throwing protesters who plan to march to Islamabad to demand judges sacked by the former government be reinstated. Muslim League-N Quaid Mian Nawaz Sharif said,

“We do not accept these house arrests, the day for coming out of the house has come, taking Pakistan to its destiny has arrived today”.

Addressing the workers outside his residence at Model Town on Sunday, he said that the country today has been turned into a police state and a curfew-like situation prevailing in the country, the blockades would pass by, as these could not stop. He said that the government using vindictive tactics was itself ravaging the laws. He said that these curbs could not arrest the sentiments of the Pakistanis. Nawaz declared these courts, government orders etc were all illegal, we would not stop because of this and we not stop until taking Pakistan to its destiny. He urged upon the administration personnel present over there to remove the blockades and not to stop any body and he warned them to remove illegal barriers. Nawaz Sharif said that Pakistan has given a call to you today once again after 1947, all should come out.

Yesterday Government decided to restrict Sharif brothers to Raiwind in an effort to prevent them to take part in long march whereas their security has also beefed up. Early this morning PML-N spokesman Pervez Rashid told Pakistan Times that security provided to Nawaz Sharif from Punjab government has been removed. According to sources, the contingent of Elite Force has also removed.

Qazi, Imran, Shahbaz reach Islamabad
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) President Shahbaz Sharif reached at the residence of a party leader Chaudhry Tanveer in Rawalpindi on Sunday and later left the house after breakfast. According to reports Jamat Islami Chief Qazi Hussain, Liaquat Baloch, Imran Khan and some other leaders have also dodged the police and reached Islamabad. A police contingent has surrounded Jamat Islami headquarter Mansoora in Lahore. Meanwhile, JI leader Farid Paracha refused to receive the detention orders of Qazi Hussain Ahmed from the Ministry of Interior.

Govt offers parade ground for sit-in
However Interior advisor Rehman Malik has offered Sharif brothers to stage sit-in in a parade ground in Shakarparian. Talking to media here, Rehman Malik said no comprise will be made on security of Parliament and Red Zone. Lawyers and Sharif brothers will stage sit-in in parade ground where security arrangements have already been made for them. He said no arrest orders were issued for Sharif brothers. While Federal Minister for Information Qamar-uz-Zaman Kaira has said the government will not allow sit-in for indefinite period in Islamabad. Talking to media, Kaira said that they were not against the protest but the protest which affects the writ of government cannot be allowed.

Aitzaz breaks police’s siege
While in Lahore according to sources Former President Supreme Court Bar Association Aitzaz Ahsan managed to escape house arrest and arrived at GPO Chowk, Lahore to participate in the long march. According to sources, Aitzaz Ahsan was detained at his residence where heavy contingent of police of deployed but he managed to escape and reached at GPO Chowk. Talking to media here at GPO Chowk, he said the detention was illegal.

Supreme Court Bar former president and the mastermind of lawyers’ movement, Aitzaz Ahsan has said that the arrests would not dampen their courage. Talking to media on the occasion of his arrest at Dubai Chowk here, Aitzaz Ahsan said that he was neither shown any arrest warrant nor he violated section 144, even then he has been arrested. Aitzaz Ahsan said that dialogues were held three times earlier and now tangible actions were needed. He said that the government was responsible for the present situation. Aitzaz Ahsan vowed that long march would continue until the restoration of CJ Iftikhar Chaudhry. Whenever the containers were removed, sit-in would be staged, he declared.-SANA

LAHORE: Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) former President Aitzaz Ahsan has said that he has not received any invitation for talks from the government. Talking to private TV on Friday, Aitzaz Ahsan reaffirmed that lawyers would stage a sit-in in Islamabad at any cost till the restoration of deposed chief justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry. “I am not aware of any invitation sent to SCBA President Ali Ahmed Kurd too as I am not in contact with him,” said Aitzaz, adding that all detainees should immediately be released.

He said that talks would he held only after release of all arrested lawyers and other people. Ahsan said that rulers had backed out several time from the promises they made for the restoration of deposed judges. He further said that Prime Minister’s guarantee had not benefited us in the past too and now who would offer the guarantee.

While President Spokesman Farhatullah Babar has said that there is no substance in reports regarding proposal for the restoration of the deposed chief justice. He also clarified that no decision has been made in connection with lifting of Governor Rule in Punjab.

Meanwhile Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) leader Chaudhry Nisar has urged the Prime Minister to play his role to resolve the crisis situation. Talking to media in Islamabad, the PML-N leader claimed Friday that a criminal gang has been facilitated to enter in Punjab from Sindh to target the leadership of PML-N. President Zardari should hear the voice of people and must take a right decision, Nisar said. The state oppression and containers could not stop the long march, which will be held according to the schedule, he added.-SANA

Chairman of the Awami Muslim League (AML) Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said that political instability increased due to disqualification of the Sharif Brothers. Talking to private TV channel on Wednesday, he said that it is the historical event, added that he already said one year before that politics was going to change in Pakistan.

He said that according to 17th amendment, Mian Shahbaz Sharif cannot contest for the provincial assembly but for the national assembly and this decision cannot harm to him. He said that Mian Nawaz Sharif was technically knockout and buckled up to the dead end. He said that now Pakistan Muslim League – N (PML-N) try to week federal government and also to made long march successful.

Former President Supreme Court Bar Association Aitzaz Ahsan said that PCO Judges took revenge from Sharif Brothers by disqualifying them. While talking to the private TV channel, he said that it will harm the government and also Pakistan People Party (PPP). He said that the Supreme Court took the decision under the government pressure. He added that it will destabilize to the country and politics.

Strongly criticizing Supreme Court’s decision on Sharif brothers case Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has said that the decision was taken according to President Asif Ali Zardari’s law not the country’s law. Talking to a private TV Channel here on Wednesday, he said that the current decision proved that personal decision would be kept imposing unless the judiciary was made independent.

He flayed the Supreme Court saying on the one hand it gave indemnity under NRO in corruption and murder cases but on the other hand it disqualified the people Sharif brothers’ who had the people’s mandate. To a question, he said that the apex court must not consider Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif’s statements regarding the Supreme Court rather it should give the verdict according to the constitution and law.

PML-N should have boycotted the polls held last years as it was executed through a preplan conspiracy for the continuity of former president Musharraf’s policies adding PTI boycotted the polls on its principles as without independent judiciary the democracy could not be strengthened, PTI Chairman stated. He; however, urged the people to participate in the lawyers’ long march for the restoration of the deposed judiciary.

Federal Minister for Labour and Power Syed Khurshid Shah said that the governor’s rule would not be imposed in Punjab after dissolution of Shahbaz Sharif’s government. Talking to media men here outside the parliament, he termed the Supreme Court’s decisions regarding Sharif brothers’ case as defeat of the federal government saying it was part of the case. He denied that the news regarding President Asif Ali Zardari’s involvement in the case saying President Zardari himself offered PML-N to form the government in Punjab; therefore, there was no question of his involvement in the case. To a question, he said that the government was analyzing the decision given by the court.

Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) Wednesday announced countrywide protest against the Supreme Court verdict that has disqualified the party leaders Mian Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif.

PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal on disqualification of Sharifs said the party won’t accept the decision. Ahsan said that the PCO courts could not declare disqualify the leaders of millions people. He said his party would get the country free from the PCO judges. Another PML-N leader Siddiq-ul-Farooq said the verdict has proved Nawaz Sharif’s statement that a conspiracy being hatched. “We are still determined and will restore the judiciary on pre-November 3 position,” he further said. He vowed that PML-N government would be saved in Punjab at any cost. Farooq said that PPP has to face the people’s decision in the next general elections and its position would be bitter than 1997 elections.

Prominent lawyer S.M. Safar on Wednesday said that the decision like it never made in the history of the country; commenting on the Supreme Court’s verdict on Sharif brothers’ case. Talking to media men here, he said that he personally got hurt on the decision as two best leaders of a political party were disqualified and they would not be able to take part in elections further. To a question, he said that the governor could appoint any one as Chief Minister of Punjab and invite him to take vote of confidence but the duration for the appointment was not mentioned in the constitution; however, it should be done immediately according to spirit of the constitution. When asked, he said that the disqualification of the chief minister would not affect the Speaker of Punjab Assembly.

Jamiat Ulema Islami-F (JUI-F) Chief Maulana Fazalur Rehman urged President Asif Ali Zardari to play his role in order to take the country out of the current crisis. Talking to media men here, he said that the courts should not disqualify the peoples’ representatives as it was equal to halt the democratic process. Regretting over the SC decision, he said that the country could not afford such decisions and asked the politician not to make the circumstances so bitter that could not be controlled. He asked PML-N and PPP to make contact with each other in order take the country out of the crisis.

PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain said that the disqualification of Sharif brothers should not be celebrated.

While the PML-Q Secretary General Mushahid Hussain Syed said that disqualification of Sharif brothers would harm the country and democracy. He said that country situation would become critical and it would affect the reconciliation process. He said that there should have some middle way despite of the disqualification.

PML-Q Vice President Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi said that there should be no discussion on the Supreme Court decision.

Parliamentary Committee for National Security expressed anxiety and fear against the Supreme Court’s verdict in which it disqualified Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif from Punjab Assembly. After the committee meeting the JUI-S leader Maulana Sami-ul-Haq said that the verdict taken by the SC was totally harmful for the country. He further stated that Pakistan was in war time condition and the national integrity was being harmed through the said decision.

Two members of Punjab Assembly belonging to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) have resigned as protest against the Supreme Court’s ruling to declare Sharif brothers’ ineligible. According to sources, PML-N sent the resignations to Speaker of Punjab Assembly.

RAWALPINDI: Deposed Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry has vowed to continue struggle for the freedom of judiciary. Addressing Rawalpindi Bar on Saturday, the deposed CJ expressed satisfaction over support that the lawyers’ movement got from all across the world. Justice Iftikhar said he was all alone when Musharraf’s government sacked him on March 9, but now he enjoys massive support from lawyers and people.

Justice Iftikhar said the rulers couldn’t make wrong decisions in the presence of an independent judiciary. He said that media freedom greatly contributed to strengthening lawyers’ movement. Highlighting need for an independent judiciary, the deposed CJ said it was also enshrined in the constitution of 1974. He said the country would prosper if the judiciary has support of society and political forces.

Supreme Court Bar association former President Chaudhry Aitzaz Ahsan Saturday said lawyers community went to Karachi with a message of peace on May 12 last year but now some elements want to file murder cases against them.

Addressing Rawalpindi Bar here on Saturday, he said: “Do go ahead and file cases against us but then make sure to bring to trial those who showed their fists on that fateful day. ” Those who showed fists have now become history, he added. Aitzaz Ahsan termed what is happening in Swat as nothing but ‘barbarism’. He said those creating propaganda against lawyers are actually bewildered by the force of movement for the independence of judiciary.

Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President Ali Ahmed Kurd has said that the lawyers’ movement helped in the restoration of democracy in the county and it was now up to the present assemblies to restore all the deposed judges. Addressing Rawalpindi Bar here on Saturday, Kurd urged parliamentarians to restore the deposed judges before lawyers’ sit-in to be held on March 16. He said that lawyers would continue to stage sit-in till the reinstatement of deposed Chief Justice, Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry.-SANA

ISLAMABAD: The lawyers’ leaders have demanded of the government to take steps to remove internal and mutual differences with in the state in the wake of Indian aggressive mood. Addressing a press conference on Saturday here, former President Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and Lawyers National Coordination Council, Chairman Chaudhry Aitzaz Ahsan said that the government should take measures to create harmony and unity among the sections of the society.

Expressing his concern over Indian warplanes’ violation of Pakistani air space, he said that the lawyers uplifting form the differences with the government would stand by with army for the county’s integrity.

He expressed his hope that India would not impose war on Pakistan; however, he warned India not to consider Pakistan a peace of cake saying India should give solid evidence if any Pakistani is involved in the barbaric act of Mumbai rather depending on blames.

To a question, he said that the lawyers’ leaders would not speak about their differences with Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) or someone else as they held press conference to give the message of unity to the nation.

It is pertinent to mention that Aitzaz Ahsan did not participate in National Security Conference called by Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani because Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), President Ali Ahmed Kurd was not invited in the conference.-SANA

ISLAMABAD: Former President Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) Aitzaz Ahsan on Tuesday demanded Chief Justice of Pakistan Abdul Hameed Dogar to resign form his post. The call came from him after exposure of a scandal as his daughter Farah Hameed Dogar was awarded illegally extra marks in FSC part 2nd examination by Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (FBISE).

Responding on the issue, he said that it is not surprising the CJ had such weakness because of them he was made CJ of Pakistan saying that there were already complaints about him regarding bank lone. He said that the board could not take the step without any pressure; however, if the CJ is not involved in the case then he must take Suo Moto action against the responsible.

Earlier, senior advocate Supreme Court of Pakistan Ahmed Raza Qasoori termed “the FBISE scandal as the conspiracy against Chief Justice of Pakistan Abdul Hameed Dogar saying that some critics exaggerated the deposed CJ US visit but actually he (deposed CJ) was awarded by “clearance chit” saying he knows why deposed CJ was invited by Washington George Town University as his (Qasoori’s) children were studying over there. Earlier only politician used to get clearance for US but now the judges also started getting clearance form there” he added.

Whereas Deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry’s spokesman Atharminallh Advocate on Monday said that some forces wanted to attach FBISE scandal with Iftikhar Chaudhry’s US visit negatively.

Responding on his statement, he strongly rejected Qasoori’s statement terming it as “extremely irresponsible statement”; however he said that being a puppet he played in the hands of others throughout the life. He said that deposed CJ was invited by US judiciary and he addressed different bar associations, colleges and universities that he termed as honor for the whole nation.

One “NO” of deposed CJ Iftikhar Chaudhry had arisen the heads of Pakistanis all over the world saying he never compromised on the principles as he rejected the invitations of many US officials, congress members and the politicians; however, he said that deposed CJ did not need of approval of the any body.

He said that those people who were attaching deposed CJ with FBISE sandal actually they are conspiring against the country since long saying they were trying to degrade the honorable deposed CJ. However, he vowed that the lawyers’ movement would be continued terming it as embodiment of the country’s honor.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has expressed grief over awarding of extra marks to the daughter of Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar.

He said that it is an open violation of rules and regulation apart from being extremely discriminatory against other deserving students and the case should be referred to supreme judicial council immediately as deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry had to under go from the same process when he was accused of influencing the authorities in his son’s CSS exam.

Talking to various delegations during nationwide membership campaign of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Imran Khan said that FBISE Chairman took unusual interest that apparently reelected that he was influence by some authorities; however, he termed it as a shameful act.-SANA