Pakistan Views

The lawyers are now considering to carry out a Train March as a follow-up to their successful Long March, Supreme Court Bar Associatio President Aitzaz Ahsan said on Saturday. Talking to newsmen, he said a date for the train march would be announced after consultations with political parties and bar councils.

He claimed that four to five laks people participated in the march.

Aitzaz said the main objective of the long march had been to mobilize the country, adding that there would be no compromise on the judges’ reinstatement.

There was no call for a sit-in, he said, claiming that the programme provided to the press had stated that the lawyers would decide on the sit-in after reaching parliament.

Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari felicitated the leadership of lawyers on the successful and organized holding of Long March.

Asif Zardari said in a statement issued here, PPP has always supported the independent judiciary, adding all the pledges given by former PPP Chairperson Benazir Bhutto will be fulfilled without fail.

He congratulated the lawyers on very organized Long March.

President Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) Aitzaz Ahsan while addressing the long march participants of Lawyers’ Long March aimed at reinstatement of the deposed judges in front of the parliament House said the historic long march will change the mindset of people. “The long march of five Lac people is big success,” he said. Aitzaz equated the condition of President Pervez Musharraf to a vehicle, which is completely shattered but its radio is on and playing.”

He stressed the need that Pakistan state should be converted into welfare state, as it had become security state after military take over of 1958.

A mammoth rally from across Pakistan converged on the Capital on Friday to press the new government to reinstate the judges ousted by President Musharraf on November 3 after imposing emergency.

They are demanding of President Musharraf to immediately quit the office or face the people wrath for what he had done to the country during his eight years in office.

These peoples in tens of thousands from all walks of life including women, children, young and old of different shades and opinion have thronged Islamabad pressing for reinstatement of deposed judges, ouster and hanging of President Pervez Musharraf. Moving force behind the long march Aitzaz Ahsan said: “We are going after an ideology.

We have a dream of an independent judiciary. There could be no democracy without an independent judiciary.” “These are Musharraf’s last days. We will turn the security state (Pakistan) into welfare state,” charged Aitzaz told the rally, which, according to some analysts, was the largest in Islamabad history.

People of age groups from 1 to 90 both male and female, from across the country including the troubled tribal areas participated in the lawyers’ long march aiming at restoration of pre-November 3 judiciary that declined to take oath under Provisional Constitutional Order (PCO) that came with Musharraf-imposed emergency.

Besides legal fraternity of Pakistan, political parties including Pakistan Muslim League (N), Tehreek e Insaf, Jamat e Islami, Pakistan Awami Tehreek, Khaksar Tehreek participated in the long march while civil society organisations including Omar Asghar Khan Foundation, Pakistan Ex-Servicemen Society (PESS), PhD Doctors Association took part in the long march.

The caravans of lawyers, political parties and civil society activists from different parts of the country and Azad Kashmir started gathering at parade ground in front of President House and Parliament House.

The Long March started its journey from southern Punjab city of Multan on June 10 and after passing through Sahiwal, Lahore, Gujranwala, Gujarat, Jhelum, Gujjar Khan, it entered Rawalpindi late morning on Friday.

The long march was given warm welcome at Swan Bridge, High Court Chowk, Katcheri Chowk, Marrer Chowk, Liaqat Bagh, Committee Chowk, Chandni Chowk, Shamsabad, Faizabad, Zero point, Aabpara. The participants of long march passed 20-km distance in about 12 hours.

The Long march brought the life to a standstill in twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, as roads remained blocked and shops closed. Protesters, including lawyers chanted “Hang Musharraf!” and “Article 6 Now”.

Government had made high security arrangements in twin cities including the sensitive areas of Constitutional Avenue and Diplomatic Enclave. The Constitutional Avenue was completely sealed-off after putting containers on its connecting roads while heavy contingents of police and rangers were deployed to meet any eventuality. Alternate arrangements were made for city traffic and diversions were made to make sure the smooth sailing of the traffic.

No hurdles were created for people in reaching Islamabad to take part in the long march. After end of the long march it is being expected that the legal fraternity will hold a sit in at parade ground till the restoration of the judiciary. In Rawalpindi, government made stringent security arrangements and heavy contingents of Police and Rangers were deployed outside all the civil and military installations.

All roads leading to Army House (President’s Camp Office) and General Headquarters (GHQ) were blocked with containers. “Musharraf must be hanged. He must be tried under Article 6 of the Constitution,” said Amir Jamaat-e-Islami in his address to the rally.

If the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-(Nawaz) realised their responsibilities, the reinstatement of deposed judges would not be far cry, he said. Today Pakistan needs to have real sovereignty… sovereignty from the US, he said. Lieutenant General Hameed Gul (Retd) said it is not real democracy. The present government came as result of National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO), he said. “It is testing time for the PPP whether it upholds democracy or stick to NRO,” he added.

The deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry Wednesday said the journey of lawyers is very tortuous and long; however, they will succeed in their bid to restore the free judiciary.Addressing a lawyers’ conference at Multan High Court Bar here, he said the lawyers are struggling for the supremacy of the law and constitution and independent judiciary for at least 15 months and they deserve felicitations on the same.He said the dream of supremacy of the law and constitution and independent judiciary would be materialized son.Iftikhar Chaudhry said he, at the time of assuming the CJ office, vowed to provide justice to people, as the people know that only free judiciary can get them the well-deserved justice. He maintained that if the judiciary is held supreme, it would give sense of security among the people.

He said the number ‘9’ has assumed great importance in the national life.Explaining his point, he said March 9, 2007 was the starting point of lawyers movement, March 9, 2008 is another important day in national history; April 9 is the date when the gory incidents happened on Karachi streets; and lastly, June 9 is the date when lawyers’ leaders including Muneer A Malik and Rashid Rizwi decided to initiated the Long March on her realization of the importance of the lawyers drive to restore the free judiciary.He said the lawyers’ movement has entered a very vital phase.

The deposed Chief Justice made special mention of a woman who brought her four-month baby and another infant of two years from Hyderabad; he paid great homage to the lady.The deposed chief justice said, ‘A baby girl fell into a gutter an lost her life, on this, I took a suo motu action and summoned the local government, after which the bereaved family got the damages,’ adding now the people are sure that only the justice would give relief to the people.He urged the people to work for the restoration of the judiciary.Wrapping up his speech, he thanked the people and said the destination has drawn near, as the people have given lot of sacrifices for the independence of the judiciary.

Earlier, the caravans of lawyers, representatives of civil society and the workers of various political parties arrived here from various parts of the country including Karachi, Quetta yesterday night.The lawyers conference was held here where various lawyers’ leaders including Aitezaz Ahsan and Ali Ahmed Kurd addressed.Speaking on the occasion, Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President Chaudhry Aitezaz Ahsan said the lawyers are struggling for the future of Pakistan.He said Pervez Musharraf has become the part of past and now he standing on the last leg.Aitezaz maintained that the Parliament did not register being the sovereign from February 18 to date.On this occasion, he urged the people to raise slogans regarding the restoration of the judiciary not ‘Go Musharraf Go!’ Aitezaz claimed that the exiled leadership traced their steps back to the country only because of lawyers movement.

Earlier the lawyers’ leader Ali Ahmed Kurd said the assembly stands as nothing without an independent judiciary, adding lawyers are very peaceful people.The power of people is with us, he said.‘We want to strengthen the assembly,’ he said demanding the parliament should keep its pledge of restoring the judges.The Long Marches will continue happening until Musharraf goes, he added.Meantime on the special directives from PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, the containers and barbed wires are being removed.

Convoys comprising of lawyers and member of civil society will leave for Lahore from here on Wednesday. The lawyers’ caravans from Sindh and Balochistan which left on Tuesday morning for Multan via Sukkur in the second leg of the long march reached Multan late Tuesday night, where deposed chief justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry joined the long march.Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Secretary Information Ahsan Iqbal told a press conference on Tuesday that PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif will address to the participants of long march in Lahore. He reiterated that the PML-N stands committed to reinstatement of the deposed judges in accordance with the Murree Declaration and will support lawyers movement.Senior lawyer Ali Ahmad Khurd is leading the long march started from Sukkur.

Activists of leading political parties like Jamaat-e-Islami, PML-N, Tehrik-e-Insaf, Sindh Taraqi Pasand Party and members of the civil society, who had hoisted, on their vehicles, colourful flags of their parties and organisations are representing their parties in long march.

Some political parties had also set up camps along the highway and welcomed the lawyers’ motorcades passing through their towns en route to Sukkur.

A caravan of lawyers and members of civil society have reached Sukkur on Monday night from where they will move towards Multan on Tuesday.A large number of lawyers and members of civil society groups and political parties were included in the convoy that left on Monday morning from Karachi and Quetta to Sukkur.
The Deposed chief justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry will also arrive in Multan today to receive the convoys from Sindh and Balochistan. He is expected to be accompanied by deposed chief justice of the Sindh High Court Justice Sabihuddin Ahmad. Justice Iftikhar is expected to address in All Pakistan Lawyers Convention hosted by the Multan Bar.On Wednesday evening, he will address a joint meeting of the SCBA, Lahore High Court Bar Association, Lahore Bar Association and Lahore Tax Bar. The lawyers’ slogan for the march is: “We are out to save the country: come join us.”
Lawyers kicked-off their long march for the restoration of deposed judges which were sacked by President Musharraf last year. Lawyers’ movement for the reinstatement of deposed judges is supported by all political parties, members of civil society, journalists and ex-servicemen. Convoy caring posters and banners of deposed chief justice of Pakistan, chanting slogans against President Musharraf will gathers in Islamabad on June 12 where they will hold a major protest in front of Parliament House.

The federal government has released last seven months salaries to ‘deposed’ judges of the Lahore High Court.
Federal Law Secretary on Monday handed over cheques to ‘deposed’ judges as the salaries have been transferred in their accounts, sources said. All the judges have accepted salaries that were released from the discretionary fund of prime minister, sources further said. Justice Khawaja Muhammad Sharif also confirmed that salaries have been released and he as well as his colleagues have received the cheques.However he avoided the question that whether prime minister or law department issued these cheques, saying this issue is redundant. Another deposed judge of the LHC, Justice MA Shahid Siddiqui confirmed that all the ten ‘deposed’ judges of the high court had been received cheques. These judges have been given salaries till May 31.
The judges who have been paid salaries include Justice Khawaja Muhammad Sharif, Justice Asif Saeed Khan Khosa, Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, Justice Ijaz Ahmed Chaudhry, Justice MA Shahid Siddiqui, Justice Sair Ali, Justice Arshad Jahangir, Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed, Justice Iqbal Hameed-ur-Rehman and Justice Umar Ata Bandial.  Meanwhile, Secretary Lahore High Court Bar Association, Rana Asadullah Khan said that the ‘deposed’ judges should not have accepted this offer as it was not their entitled salary but only some kind of alms. He said the judges should have been paid their rightful salaries as they were still judges of superior courts.

Barrister Aitezaz Ahsan said that the participants of the long march will reach outside the parliament on June 12. Addressing a press conference in Lahore, president Supreme Court Bar Association Aitezaz Ahsan said that the participants of the long march will leave Lahore in the morning of June 12 for Rawalpindi and Islamabad while a procession of lawyers will leave Multan on June 11.He said that a procession of lawyers from Karachi will go to join the long march on Monday morning.He said that Ali Ahmed Kurd will lead the procession of lawyers coming from Balochstan. Replying to a question, Aitezaz Ahsan said that the PML (N) is playing an important role in the movement for restoration of the judges.

Various political parties announced to participate in the March being taken out from Karachi and Quetta.The lawyers in great number and workers of various political parties started to arrive at Quaid’s mausoleum, from where they will set out for Islamabad on buses and coaches. A large rally comprising hundreds of lawyers appeared from Sindh High Court, on this occasion, massive traffic jam was witnessed at MA Jinnah Road.

Also, the rallies from all three bars Karachi Bar, Malir Bar and Sindh Bar reached at Quaid’s mausoleum.
The lawyers rally arrived at Quaid’s mausoleum, where it was received with rousing slogans, after which the caravan of lawyers left for Sohrab Goth at 1045am headed by former Supreme Court Bar President Muneer A Malik.

JI General Secretary Munawwar Hussain will address the lawyers’ rally at Super Highway.

A lawyers rally in Sanghar is all geared up to leave for Sukkar. Another large rally of lawyers is starting its journey of Long March from Quetta, headed by Ali Ahmed Kurd, who will address the rally in Sukkar. Kurd said his caravan will go through Darra Bolan to Sibbi, Jackobabad, Dera Murad Jamali, where lawyers and civil society representatives will receive them and join the rally on its route to Islamabad.
Meantime addressing a press conference in Lahore, Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President Chaudhry Aitezaz Ahsan issued the details regarding the Long March routes and the participation of the deposed Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry.

He said the Long March will appear from the Sindh High Court attended by a large number of civil society representatives, lawyers and workers of political parties.

He said the PCO judges would not be invited, as lawyers and people do not believe them the judges.

Chaudhry Aitezaz Ahsan said President Pervez Musharraf should not be given the safe passage, adding he should be tried in free judiciary against his illegal measures.

Addressing a meeting of lawyers early today’s morning, Justice (rtd) Sabihud Din said no society can survive without a free judiciary. Justice (rtd) Fakhrud Din G Ibrahim said the lawyers’ Long March was the need of time.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) Chief Imran Khan said the millions of his party workers will give rousing welcome to the deposed Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry on his arrival everywhere.

His workers have completed all the arrangements to give unprecedented reception to the deposed CJP on his arrival in the federal capital.

Talking to ARY One World in London, he said he would continue his legal action against Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), adding the negotiations in this connection are underway.

Imran Khan said President Pervez Musharraf deems that US President George W Bush will come to his rescue; however, the people will bring him to book.

Imran Khan alleged that Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari is putting at stake the future of the country and the nation to save his collar, as he is under NRO forced to keep Musharraf in his office.

Commenting on PPP-PML-N alliance, PTI chief said Nawaz is going along with Asif Zardari and it will at last prove detrimental to the former.

Also, Jamaat Islami announced its schedule for participation in the Long March. Addressing a press conference, JI Deputy Secretary General Fareed Pracha said the party workers will come along with the lawyers from various areas of Karachi today, from the Interior Sindh on June 10 and from Punjab they would come forward to participate in the Long March.

Also, the JI workers will set up reception stalls at various points on the route of Long March across the country.

Expressing solidarity with the lawyers for the restoration of the judiciary and the supremacy of the parliament, scores of former diplomats announced to take part in the Long March.

The diplomats said the UN inquest in Benazir Bhutto’s assassination is in not in national interest.

Addressing a news conference in Islamabad, the diplomats said the government failed in restoring the deposed judges and Murree Declaration could not be implemented.

The diplomats including Shamshad Ahmed Khan, Akram Zaki and Riaz Khokhar said Musharraf’s November 3 steps were unconstitutional which jeopardized the prestige of Pakistan in foreign world.

They asserted that an executive order is enough for the judges restoration. The former diplomats rejected the constitutional amendments regarding the judges restoration, adding Musharraf is an unconstitutional president.