Lawyers nearer their destination: CJ Iftikhar.

By Sohail Khan
ISLAMABAD: Deposed chief justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry has told the legal fraternity that their movement for restoration of November 2, 2007 judiciary and reinstatement of deposed judges of superior courts would bear fruit and they are near to achieving their task. Talking to Sardar Asmatullah, President of the Lahore High Court, Rawalpindi Bench by phone, Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry paid rich tributes to the legal fraternity for launching such a courageous and consistent movement. The deposed chief justice said the sacrifices being rendered by the lawyers' community across the country for the rule of law, supremacy of the constitution and restoration of judiciary would go down as unparalleled in the history of legal profession. "The struggle of the legal fraternity for the restoration of pre-November 3, 2007 judiciary is fast nearing its destination and very soon people would be able to have access to speedy course of justice," Asmatullah quoted Justice Chaudhry as saying.Over 50 judges of the superior courts including Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry are under house arrest since the state of emergency was proclaimed coupled with issuance of Provisional Constitution Order (PCO).The legal fraternity has launched a vigorous movement for the restoration of judiciary and reinstatement of sacked judges. Pakistan Bar Council, their active forum, has announced complete boycott of the whole judiciary across the country.Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan, President Supreme Court Bar Association, who is under house arrest has given the deadline of March 7 to the government for the fulfilment of their demands and otherwise threatened to lead a long march on Islamabad on March 9, the day Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhamamd Chaudhry was made non-functional through a presidential reference.Addressing a protest gathering near the Judges Enclave the other day, Nawaz Sharif declared that within a few days they would take deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry to his office in the Supreme Court.After the general elections, Justice Chaudhry addressed the Karachi Bar Association and later the Lahore High Court Bar Association on telephone and paid rich tributes to the struggle and movement launched by the legal fraternity. Justice Chaudhry is expected to address the Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA), Rawalpindi Bench on Wednesday.
link: http://thenews.jang.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=98026