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WEEKLY
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| Lawyers rejoice at movement’s victory |
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Tuesday, March 17, 2009
By Our Correspondent
LAHORE
The lawyers who had been striving for the restoration of Nov-02 judiciary, celebrated their victory in a festive way after the Prime Minister announced the restoration of all the deposed judges along with Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry.
As the PM announced the restoration of the deposed judges during his address to the nation on Monday early morning, the lawyers started thronging to the city courts and the high court. Instead of going to the courts for pleading their routine cases, they went to barrooms and celebrated their two-year long movement.
They were dancing and chanting slogans in favor of Justice Iftikhar and the independent judiciary. They also distributed sweets among their colleagues and the activists of political parties who had come there to celebrate the lawyersí victory. A group of young lawyers wearing white turbans on their heads participated in the celebrations while shouting slogans of the independent judiciary.
They also paid tribute to the media of the country for covering their movement objectively and creating awareness among the masses. A number of activists from PML-N led by MNA Naseer Ahmad Bhutta and the Jamat-e-Islami arrived at the Lahore High Court premises to celebrate the restoration of the judges. The lawyers, political and civil society activists also participated in the celebration.
Speaking on the occasion, LHCBA President Justice (retd) MA Shahid Siddiqi thanked the leadership of the PML-N, the Tehreek-e-Insaf, the Jamat-e-Islami and other parties for supporting the cause of lawyers. He also thanked the masses for joining the lawyers’ movement for the establishment of independent judiciary and the rule of law in the country.
He said the day of March 16 had brought the message of happiness for the whole nation, expressing his belief that the justice would rule in the country and every citizen would get his right. After the restoration of the independent judiciary, the industry and economy of the country would improve, he hoped. Meanwhile, a UK based Association of Pakistani Lawyers (APL) in a statement welcomed the decision of Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani to restore the remaining judges who were sacked by Gen. Musharraf on November 03, 2007 including Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry.
The APL also welcomed the PMís decision to seek review of the decision of the Supreme Court of February 25, 2009 where popular leadership had been barred from contesting elections and observed that respecting the mandate was the key to promote tolerance in the state.
The APL said the whole nation including political workers, civil society, media, lawyers, and laymen, women, and children deserved applause for their participation in the long march. The APL also congratulated Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif for his bravery and defiance on the principle which had brought fruit on the day of long march.
APL chairman Amjad Malik said that the government deserved appreciation for meeting their demands and respecting the will of the people. The nation, which jubilant in May,1998, after becoming an atomic power, was again overjoyed after the victory of the principled stand of the chief justice who had defied a military dictator, he added.
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ISSN 1563-9479 
