Civil society reacts to CJ’s release
ISLAMABAD: For us Chief Justice of Pakistan, Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry has been restored, said members of the civil society who thronged to the CJ House on Monday after the prime minister, soon after getting elected, ordered release of all detained judges in his speech.
The whole crowd had the unanimous opinion that it was not a mere release but was restoration of Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry. A leading activist of the civil society, Ghazala Minallah said the chief justice has been released, but to her he has been restored as well. She also welcomed Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani for saying that he would abide by the Murree Declaration. “The prime minister’s statement about the Murree Accord is more than enough for Musharraf to quit,” the rejoicing lady said.
Naeem Mirza, another human rights activist said, “It is a great day in the history of the Pakistani nation. The prime minister’s first order to restore the judiciary coincided with the demand of the people of Pakistan.” He added: “This could not have been achieved without great sacrifices; especially the murder of Benazir Bhutto. The year-long struggle of lawyers with the support from media has made it possible for the nation to rejoice this moment of pride.”
Former vice president Supreme Court Bar Association, Ikram Chaudhry said it was a good omen for the nation, which had given its verdict to unchain Pakistan from the tentacles of establishment. He said accountability of establishment and the elements, who were trying to undo the democratic process in the country, should be held. He said Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry has been restored and, according to him, a resolution from the Parliament was a symbol that the people’s representatives wanted so.
A Baloch Sardar, Sardar Najibullah Jafar, who was also rejoicing the moment at the CJ House, said Prime Minister Yusuf Raza GilaniÃs order today was the demand of the people of Balochistan, to which the CJ belongs. ìThis is the victory of truth,î he said, adding: “Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry was not only released but also restored on this historic day.”
A housewife Aziza Hayat, who had come to the CJ House to witness the jubilation on release of the CJ and family detained since November 3, said it was a moment to rejoice for all. She said it was a good omen for the nation to rebuild itself. She said the nation wanted to see Justice Iftikhar in the chair of the Chief Justice of Pakistan. She said the count down had started and if the restoration was not done after 30 days, then the roads would be crowded with the lawyers and the civil society. Dr Haroon endorsed her opinion saying the lawyers” movement has started bearing fruits. But, he said, there would be great clash if the judiciary is not restored.
Waseem, a software engineer, who came to the CJ House with his wife to witness the historic release of the Chief Justice of Pakistan, said it was a day of Eid for him and his wife. He said democracy won today and Musharraf must resign after such historic victory of the lawyers. “We are proud that Iftikhar Chaudhry is our Chief Justice,” her wife said.
Source: The News
Date:3/25/2008
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