KARACHI: Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry Sunday visited Central Jail Karachi to see the plight of prisoners. During his visit police officials and jail administration met the Chief Justice. He was accompanied by a team of Judicial Magistrates.

The Judicial team released some prisoners who were imprisoned on minor charges on the orders of the Chief Justice. According to a private television, the Chief Justice also inspected the prisoners vans, Ambulances and food items being provided to the prisoners and directed the jail administration to improve the standard.

Meanwhile, a family held a demonstration in front of Central Jail for seeking justice. A relative of the family was not released after court’s order. The court exonerated Razwan Ahmed in a suicide bomb case. The brother of a prisoner Syed Asif Ali told the media that delaying tactics are being used in his case. The relatives of Farooq Mangel involved in the murder case of his wife Afreen Baig a TV Producer, said the decision is still pending due to the influence of some politicians. NNI

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry has arrived Supreme Court after long break of one year, 4 months and 21 days. According to sources, Chief Justice arrived the building, he was dressed with rose petals by lawyers and civil activists and guard of honour was observed on this occasion.

The lawyers and the civil activists held national flag and chanted slogans Pakistan Zindabad and in fovour of independence of judiciary as well; whereas, Justice Khalil Ramday, Justice Shakir Ullah Jan and Justice Nasir-ul-Mulk were also along him. The Chief Justice entered into the Supreme Court room No. 1 along with a large number of lawyers and civil activists who gathered to hail him at his first visit after long absence.

He started hearing of cases on the occasion and conducted oath ceremony of Chief election Commission Justice Hamid Ali Mirza as well. On the eve of the Chief Justice arrival to Supreme Court, families of the missing persons were present in front of the building. The employees of the Supreme Court stood in respect of Chief Justice arrival and security arrangement was quite tight in the occasion.

It was happened first time in the history of Pakistan as well as of the world that the Chief Justice reinstated for third time owing to his own and of the lawyers’ long and consistent struggles.

Iftikhar took oath as Chief Justice of Supreme Court first time on June 30, 2005; however, he was removed on March 9, 2207 by former president Pervez Musharraf through ordinance after leveling allegations against him. But soon after he was declared sinless by the Supreme Judicial Council and restored him again on his position on July 20, 2007.

In the meanwhile, a conspiracy hatched against independent judiciary and he was along sixty others judges unseated on November 3, 2007 by the then president and army chief Pervez Musharraf by declaring emergency in the county; however, it was reacted severely and the government lastly to bow before the mass flood on mach 16, 2009 when the Chief Justice Iftikhar along with other judges reinstated for the third time.

Input from Agencies

ISLAMABAD: After two year’s bloody struggle of Lawyers initially supported by all political parties excluding Pakistan Muslim League (Q) and during second phase of struggle the ruling Pakistan People’s Party itself in a whispering manner opposed reinstatement of deposed Chief Justice Iftkhar Chaudhry but on March 15, former two-time prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s Long March with popular support forced President Asif Ali Zardari to reverse the judicial situation to pre-Nov.3, 2007, a historic moment came when Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry was for the second time reinstated to top position at the Supreme Court.

It was a close holiday on Sunday in Islamabad. Covered with grey clouds Margallah hills which over look ‘Judges Colony’, appeared as a national salvation day. Every one was walking towards the residence of Chief Justice facing Sindh House. All the tv channels had installed their Digital Satellite Newsgathering Systems and cameramen and reporters were waiting for the moment which the nation of Pakistan had waited for long.

Pakistan’s leading jurist and a PPP leader Chaudhry Aitzaz Ahsan was the master of ceremony. He had invited those PPP leaders who either had given sacrifices during Lawyers’ movement or were supportive of slain prime minister Benazir Bhutto’s promise,

“A day will dawn when we will hoist national flag at the residence of Chief Justice Iftkhar Chaudhry”,

Bhutto had made this pledge while addressing a rally in front of Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry’s house a month before her assassination. Political Secretary of Benazir Bhutto Nahid Khan, her husband Senator Dr. Safdar Abbasi, Dr. Israr Shah, a member of PPP’s CEC who had lost his two legs during a blast at District courts of Islamabad in July 2007 when Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry was to address members of local Bar Association, too was present though he is close to President Asif Ali Zardari. He hoisted the national flag.

“Benazir Bhutto has today honoured her pledge”, Nahid Khan said while talking to emotionally charged crowd. She said we waited for this moment after crossing a bloody journey which even cost life of our great leader.

People were rejoicing but the man, for the traditions and values of his office, Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry did not appear in the balcony. His son Balach kept appearing in the main balcony. Aitzaz Ahsan conducting the ceremony said that this would be the last of the series of restoration of judiciary functions, while Chief Justices of Pakistan would not participate in this function. Aitzaz thanked Qazi Hussain Ahmad and Imran Khan especially for their unflinching support to the lawyers’ movement.

The man for whom bells kept tolling Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry has many a challenges ahead to face. His challenges are very complicated. What he would decided about the period between November 3, 2007 to March 22, 2009. What will be fate of those judgments which were made by outgoing Chief Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar, face of NRO Ordinance which provided indemnity to President Asif Ali Zardari in several graft cases and will he take up any appeal, writ or petitions against for military president Pervez Musharraf. Time in its maturity alone will answer these questions.

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that the PPP government had taken a bold step to resolve the judicial issue that had become an international one in the best national interest according to the aspirations of the people.

Talking to media here on Tuesday, he said the restoration of deposed judges was the desire of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto and the promise of President Asif Ali Zardari that has been fulfilled. The Prime Minister expressed the confidence that the notification for the restoration of deposed judges would be issued on Tuesday. Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said that he had always been supporter of the independent judiciary and took active part in the restoration of deposed judges.

To a question, he said that this step would lead the country towards a greater national reconciliation process which would result in strengthening of institutions including sovereignty of the Parliament and promote democracy in the country.

He said he is in contact with Mian Nawaz Sharif and Mian Shahbaz Sharif in this regard and all coalition partners are also on board. He said the other political parties would also be taken into confidence to move forward for a broad based national reconciliation.

Answering a question whether PML-N and PPP would remain coalition partners in Punjab in case of disqualification of Mian Shahbaz Sharif is removed, he said it will be decided in the prevailing circumstances as politics as a day today affair. To another question, the Prime Minister said he himself is against the Governor rule in Punjab and every effort is being made to lift it at the earliest.

Earlier, addressing a ceremony of a Private School, the Prime Minister said that the government is given top priority to the education sector as this sector plays key role in the national development. He said the government will extend full support to those private educational institutions and the students who render valuable services in the field of education.

He said Pakistan has great potential and natural resources but unfortunately these have not been tapped hoping that the younger generation would come up to the expectations of the nation. He said the government would provide cooperation to the private sector to bridge gap in the quality of education. He said Pakistani students have tremendous potential to meet the world challenges.-SANA

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

Yousaf Raza Gillani’s early in the morning address to the nation restoring the remaining including the Chief justice of Pakistan Mr. Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chowdhary was a sigh of relief to the nation. Alas, President Zardari’s advisors could not foresee the repercussions of his decisions not to restore CJ and imposition of Governor rule and he had to see this day. The same mistake was made of the aide of Gen. Musharraf on 9 march 2007 when they advised him to sack the very judge who was lauded by millions in the country for his fairness and bravery. In any event, in the end common sense prevailed and politics won on the day. PM’s decision to seek review of the decision of Supreme Court of 25 February 2009 is the key to promote tolerance in the state, and harmony amongst provinces. This review will also keep the little left respect of the supreme court intact too, as parliamentary action would have promoted confrontation between both. This is the victory of the whole nation which is alive and conscious of the situation it is in, and the whole nation including all section of society whether political workers, civil society, media, lawyers, and lay men, women, and children deserve to be applauded for their forbearance and free expression of their will by participating in the long march.

One must wonders that due to lack of foresightedness, the rulers provided an opportunity to the slept lion Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif to show his bravery and defiance on principles, and popularity which is devastating for the Govt at this early juncture of their 5 years slot. But it will be unjust if we forget the steadfast lawyer leadership, UN intimidated media and robust civil society with thousands of unnamed supporting characters who brought the rulers to their knees and won fruit on the day of long march. They stood on the ground like they did on 3 November 2007 at the time of emergency. Govt of Gillani deserves to be appreciated for listening and meeting public demands, respecting the will of the people as Lawyers and civil society were on streets since 9 March 2007. Army command deserves applause for nipping their lust for power when they bore patiently with the inefficiencies of our today’s rulers who blindfolded threw the nation into a turmoil and flared the hatred when the spirit of reconciliation was in the air. This is the time when Pakistani people have a chance to regroup and make this country a mirror image of the aspirations of millions of those who decided to join this new land at the time of independence in 1947 in a dream come true style by sacrificing nearly 4 million souls. Nation was jubilant in May 1998 after becoming an atomic power and now the nation has a cause to be overjoyed after seeking victory on a principled point of restoration of Chief Justice who defied a military dictator.

If the political forces wishes to move forward from the stalemate of 25 February, then implementation of ‘Charter of Democracy’ and free judiciary are they key ingredients to restore true democracy in Pakistan and this can only restrict military intervention(s) and nip the ‘law of necessity’ in the bud. 20 July 2007 when CJ was restored first, I wrote that one judge does not secure independence of judiciary but is a first step towards right direction. We saw the lawyers reaction, when necessary expectations were not met when SC gave a decision dismissing dual offices case against the Qazi Hussain Ahmed & orders were torn apart. I still hold the same view and political will, consultation and joint collaboration is required to effect this process to conclusion. The whole institution of judiciary needs to be revamped and If these dreams are to be translated in reality then spade work by Supreme Court Bar Association must start now to give a road map on crucial topics such as appointment of judges via non political and unbiased commission, non controversial non political future lawyers who in the end become judges, politics free bar, training of lawyers and judges, accountability of top judiciary, financial autonomy of top judiciary, protection of judges, and separation of administration from judiciary coupled with safe guards to prevent judiciary turning into another military style unbridled power which parallels the executive . These are the questions which needs to be addressed by Lawyer representatives so that Parliament could do positive legislation in days to come.

It was disturbing when we saw a popular political party taking similar actions what we witnessed on 12 May 2007 by a military dictator i.e imposing s.144, blocking channels, exclusion orders for certain leaders, closing borders and usage of containers are a few examples of many. Suspension basic human rights is against the law of the land and international law and Society endorsed and encouraged the freedom of expression, and tolerance as enshrined in Pakistan’s 1973 Constitution (art15,19, and 25) and nation considered the right of people of free speech as inalienable that is why they came in huge numbers when channels were blocked. The welcoming role of sensibles of PPP including Raza Rabbani, Aitzaz Ahsan, Safder Abbassi and Sherry Rehman, Minister of Information who resigned at the time when curbs against Pakistani media were directed acted like a fresh air in a very suffocated atmosphere. It is for the PPP to decide to bring those to books who were truly responsible to bring the country to a total standstill and for adverse administrative measures and imposition of Governor rule, though the public has given their verdict already.

In the current geo political situation in the country option of reconciliation with the people and political forces of Pakistan is the best route possible to curb radicalization and invasion of extremism and as current situation desires all heads of constitutional tracheotomy to observe extreme patience and wisdom and be visionary to avoid conflicts which have serious repercussions for the state of Pakistan. Government of the day must operate a policy of listen and learn and ensure implementation of the ‘Charter of Democracy’ in its letter and spirit, as that’s the dying wish an pledge to the nation of their leader of Shaheed Mohtarma BenNazir Bhuttoo, and a recipe to avoid disaster. The whole nation needs an appreciation for their patience, bravery and ruler’s mischiefs. Well done Pakistan.

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry has congratulated whole nation over his reinstatement. This he said in his short address to the people gathered outside his official residence. He appeared many times to see the people gathered outside his residence celebrating his reinstatement. Youngest son of CJ also appeared in balcony and waved his hands for the people present outside the residence.

ISLAMABAD: Amir Jamaat-e-Islami Qazi Hussain Ahmed has termed the government decision to reinstate deposed judges as the defeat of government before public pressure. Qazi said that he sees the Islamic revolution in the country soon adding that the Musharraf November 3 action was rebellion against the nation and demanded of the government to punish him for his sins.

Addressing a big gathering of JI workers after the reinstatement of Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry and other deposed judges Qazi Hussain Ahmed said that Dr Aafia, Jamia Hafsa students, relatives of missing persons and martyrs of 12th May 2007 are looking at Justice Iftikhar for justice.

He said that some people in the country are living in a luxury while, others have no bread for eating JI is fighting against this unjust system in the country. He said that his party workers were baton charged in Lahore other people joined the long march after the way was cleared.

He assured the participants of the gathering that no one could stand before the strength of people. He stressed on the need of solving all matters through consultation with all leaders of the country and it should not have to look towards US, UK and other forces of the world for decisions about Pakistan. He said that JI is the only party which is capable of bringing fare justice system in the country.-SANA

Islamabad: The Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) on Monday said restoration of chief justice and other deposed judges would rejuvenate confidence of investors and boost economic activities. “Decision of political and military leadership has not only saved country from a big crisis but also diffused a highly volatile situation very skilfully,” said Dr. Murtaza Mughal President of PEW.

Talking to Vice President of National Traders Alliance Malik Sohail Hussain and other business leaders, he said that ending confrontation with the opposition is a step that has been welcomed by business community and all other forums. He said that unreasonable delay in reinstatement of judges has dented the reputation of rulers as well as economy of Pakistan. “Government has restored judges but could not get the credit for it due to delayed decision,” said Dr. Mughal.

“The decision will support economy and push the confidence of financial markets as well as investors,” he said adding that the development will reflect positively on the reputation of Pakistan. At the occasion, Malik Sohail Hussain said that traders were very concerned about the unstable political situation and a number of factors had divided them.

We were extremely concerned about the future of country but now the trading community is comfortable to some extent. He said that now the trading community would play role in development of country with peace of mind.

ISLAMABAD: leaders of the lawyers’ movement hailed the PM Yousaf Raza Gilani decision of restoration of all deposed judges including Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry. Addressing a press conference Supreme Court Bar Association President Ali Ahmed Kurd said that the lawyers’ struggle which continued for last two years for the restoration of deposed judges finally succeeded adding that the reason behind the success of lawyers’ movement is their peaceful struggle.

Justice (Retd) Tariq Mehmood hailed the restoration of deposed chief justice and other judges adding that he had full confidence about the success of deposed judiciary.

Justice (Retd) Wajihuddin Ahmed also hailed the government decision showing some reservations about the mode of restoring deposed judiciary.

Meanwhile, another lawyers’ leader Athar Minalla hoped that the government would prove from its actions that the judiciary is independent in the country. He said that to bury the ideology of necessity forever is the need of hour adding that it would be injustice with democracy if the November 3 acts were indemnified by the parliament.-SANA