Free judiciary to ensure progress: CJP Iftikhar.

MULTAN - Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry said on Tuesday the Freedom Award conferred on him at Harvard was a recognition of the sacrifices of Pakistanis for rule of law and it dispelled the impression that they were terrorists.

Addressing the annual dinner of District Bar Association Multan here at district courts, he said that the motive behind launching lawyers movement was to establish rule of law and independent judiciary in the country. "The solution to all problems being faced by Pakistan lies in rule of law," he added.

He was of the opinion that the absence of rule of law was the major cause of all social, economic and political as well as law and order problems being faced by the country. "All of these problems will be resolved if rule of law is established in the country," he added.

He said when he received the award at Harvard he made it clear that it was the award for 170 million Pakistanis. "I told them that I was receiving this award on behalf of those lawyers, who had sacrificed their lives and properties for the sake of sacred cause of rule of law and I dedicate this award to them," he added.

He noted that only those nations had progressed that possessed independent judiciary, constitution and rule of law. "If the legislative of any country attempts to bulldoze the judiciary and get its desired verdicts, that country can't make progress," he added.

He lauded the efforts of black coats, saying they were the only community that felt its responsibility with regard to rule of law and independent judiciary. "It was because of your dedicated efforts and struggle that media, doctors, civil society and engineers supported the movement for independent judiciary," he declared.

He expressed his hope that the lawyers' movement would end up successfully. "However, you'll have to step up your efforts in coming days and when you reach your destination your country will be amongst developed countries," he anticipated.

Earlier, lawyer leaders including Supreme Court Bar president Ali Ahmad Kurd, Anwar Kamal, Munir A Malik, Mahmood ul Hassan, Hamid Khan, Mahmood Ashraf Khan and Mehr Najaf Chawan also addressed the gathering.

Strict security arrangements were made on this occasion and heavy police contingents were deployed at and around the venue for the dinner. Earlier, the deposed Chief Justice was accorded warm welcome by the lawyers on his arrival at the dinner.

link: http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Politics/24-Dec-2008/Free-judiciary-to-ensure-progress-Iftikhar