Chief Justice Of Pakistan Iftikhar Chaudhry Predicted Victory.

KARACHI: Suspended Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry predicted that “victory is in sight” and soon, the judges and judiciary would be restored to their pre-November 3 state.

He predicted this while addressing members of the Sindh High Court Bar Association via telephone from his residence in Islamabad, where he has been detained since being removed under an executive order by President Pervez Musharraf. Justice Iftikhar sounded very optimistic of his triumph and restoration as the CJP.

“The power to rule and the highest offices are short lived, but, long live the traditions and principles set by an individual. Judgments, strictly as per law and constitution, are remembered even centuries after,” he said, adding that “victory is in sight”.

He praised the continuing struggle of the lawyers, judges of the superior courts, civil society and the media for the restoration of the judges and independence of the judiciary.

He demanded “accountability of those who endangered the solidarity of the country” for their individual gains and benefits. The supremacy of law and constitution, in Pakistan, are indispensable if this country is to survive progress and prosper,” he said.

He once again declared the actions taken on November 3 as “illegal and un-constitutional”. A seven-member full bench of the apex court had declared the proclamation of emergency illegal, and also passed an order of restraint urging all judges not to take oath under the PCO. The judges who took an oath under the PCO validated the actions of November 3, he said.

“This is all illegal and unconstitutional. Everything done and decided by these courts are illegal,” he maintained. “The Parliament alone is competent to change and amend laws. Once these powers are surrendered by the Parliament, it will bring disastrous implications for the country and the Nation,” he warned.

He also mentioned the loan obtained by the current chief justice of Pakistan under the Saiban Scheme as a grade-22 officer.

“The time is coming when the law and constitution will be supreme. Judges will be restored and will give justice to the common man,” he said.

Justice (retd) Rashid A. Razvi, president of the SHCBA, thanked Iftikhar Chaudhry for his speech and assured him of support, from all the lawyers of Sindh, for an independent judiciary.

(courtesy Daily Times)

Aitzaz Ahsan Announces a week-long protest.

KARACHI: Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President Aitzaz Ahsan announced on Thursday that lawyers would observe a week-long protest from March 9-16 in support of the judiciary.

The SCBA president made the announcement over telephone while addressing a general body meeting of the Karachi Bar Association (KBA). The first day of the protest coincides with the completion of a full year of the judicial crisis that started on March 9, when former chief justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry was suspended and President Pervez Musharraf sent a reference against him to the Supreme Judicial Council.

In his speech to the lawyers, Ahsan advised the president to quit and transfer power to representatives elected by the people. He also urged political parties to restore the pre-November 3 judiciary so that justice could be dispensed to the people of Pakistan. Ahsan said, “Political parties have shown their strength by securing a two-thirds majority in the parliament. They should now take steps for a free and independent judiciary. People voted them into power to acquire independence of all kinds, including independent of judiciary, free media and freedom of speech.”

(courtesy Daily Times)

Aitzaz Ahsan's detention may be Extended.

LAHORE: The Punjab Home Department Friday said Supreme Court Bar Association President Chaudhry Aitzaz Ahsan cannot be released before March 3.

While talking to a private news channel, Punjab Home Secretary Khusro Pervaiz Khan said the government had issued orders of his detention for 30 days, which was ending on March 3.

However, sources said the government was likely to extend the detention orders of Aitzaz Ahsan till a new government is formed.

The Home Department has taken strict security measures outside the residence of Aitzaz. Barriers have been erected and the road leading to his house has been closed for traffic.