Response below my dignity.

Response below my dignity: Iftikhar


ISLAMABAD (NNI) - Deposed Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry has discarded the remarks of President Pervez Musharraf against him and said that it was contrary to the prestige of his status to comment on them. This was stated by the spokesman of deposed Chief Justice Athar Minnallah Advocate while addressing a Press conference which was held outside the residence of deposed Chief Justice in Judges’Colony where police had put barricades. Speaking on the occasion, Athar Minnallah said that Chief Justice had described the remarks of President Musharraf as a legal triumph of his nation and himself.It may be recalled that President Musharraf in his interview branded Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry as a third rate person. Athar Minnallah told the newsmen that he was conveying the message on behalf of Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry.He said that Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Justice Sardar Raza Khan and justice Mian Shakirullah Jan were detained in Judges’ Colony and they were not accorded permission to cast their votes.He described the statement of Interior Ministry as totally wrong that Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry was a free citizen. ‘’We are seeing here that barricades have been put outside his residence’’ he said.To a query, he said that Chief Election Commissioner had no power and he was not allowed to meet him on the Eid day.A huge number of lawyers and representatives of civil society were also present on the occasion who later staged a demonstration there.The demonstrators were holding banners and placards inscribed with the slogans to reinstate Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry.They chanted slogans in favour of Chief Justice and against the government.