Free judiciary to help get rid of all ills: Aitzaz.

LAHORE: Former President Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), Aitzaz Ahsan, has said that the lawyers struggle is to establish independence of judiciary, as it will help in getting rid of unemployment, price-hike and better education for our future generation.

Addressing a press conference on his officially the last day as president of SCBA, he said that this discriminatory loadshedding and other sufferings would not be there, if a dictator had not eroded the Constitution by inflicting a fatal blow to the judiciary.

He said that if Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry was restored, he or any other president of the SCBA, like Ali Ahmad Kurd would be the first to approach the apex court against these evils.

Aitzaz said the new SCBA president, Ali Ahmad Kurd, had to join him but because of earthquake in Ziarat and other areas, he (Kurd) could not come.

He announced the schedule for next phase of the lawyers’ movement starting from November 3. He said the date would be celebrated as a ‘Black Day’ like previous year.

He called it the worst day in the history of Pakistan when Chief Justice of Pakistan and judges with their families were arrested and detained.

He said the lawyers would hold black flag rallies with two hours sit-in on November 3 in three provinces.

He said Balochistan would not take part in it due to tragedy of earthquake. He said Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry would address the joint session of the Rawalpindi High Court Bar and Rawalpindi District Bar Associations from where the lawyers would take him to his home in Islamabad after which the lawyers would observe two hours sit-in at the Constitutional Avenue or Parade Ground in Islamabad.

He said the Chief Justice during his address would disclose some facts about which he so far kept mum. He clarified that Chief Justice would not participate in the lawyers sit-in.

Then on November 8, Chief Justice would go to Sialkot via GT Road where he would address the district bar.

On November 15, Chief Justice would leave for New York, where he would address the Pakistani community. During his USA visit, Chief Justice would give lecture at the Fordham Law College on November 18.

On 19th, Chief Justice would attend a historical function of the Harvard University where he would be decorated with a Medal of Freedom.

Ch Aitzaz said Chief Justice would be the third dignitary after American lawyer Thorogood Marshall and South African leader Nelson Mandela during the 360 years history of the Harvard University who would be awarded this medal.

He said Chief Justice has invitations from all over USA from people from all occupations and programmes would be finalized with availability of time.

Meanwhile, he said the top political leaders of the country including Asif Ali Zardari, Mian Nawaz Sharif, Asfandyar Wali and Maulana Fazlur Rehman made written and oral commitment with the nation for restoration of all deposed judges including Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry but so far this promise could not be fulfilled.

He deplored that the top leaders holding such prestigious offices should not behave in this manner and should abide by their commitments not only made with the lawyers but with whole of the nation too.

Members of Pakistan Bar Council Hamid Khan, Hafiz Abdur Rehman Ansari, President Anwar Kamal, vice president Mian Muhammad Aslam and Secretary Rana Asadullah of the Lahore High Court Bar Association also joined Aitzaz Ahsan at press conference. At the end Hafiz Abdul Rehman, lead the prayers for victims of earthquake.

link: http://www.thenews.com.pk/print1.asp?id=144260