ISLAMABAD: The people heaved a sigh of relief as Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani announced the restoration of Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and other deposed judges early Monday morning.
The announcement was hailed with massive celebrations by cheering crowds throughout the country. Soon afterwards, PML-N Quaid Nawaz Sharif, in consultation with the leaders of the lawyers’ community, the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), the PTI and other parties, called off the long march and the proposed sit-in. This resulted in removal of containers, trucks and other hurdles, which were erected on highways and roads, particularly in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
Like other parts of the country, Section 144 was also lifted from the twin cities and detention orders of political workers and leaders of the lawyers’ community were withdrawn. The celebrations had started even earlier, since midnight when Geo News aired the breaking news about government’s decision to restore the sacked judges. Viewers, gripped by suspense, remained glued to their TV screens till 6 am, when the chief executive of the country delivered his speech. Normalcy gradually returned to the twin cities where the stage was set for a final showdown and the two cities were turned into prisons for the residents.
The workers of the JI, the PML-N, the PTI, the lawyers’ community and members of the civil society took out rallies all over the country. In Islamabad, a large number of them gathered in front of the residence of Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and chanted slogans to express their joy.
Amna Masood, a human rights activist who is struggling for the recovery of missing persons, also reached in front of the official residence of Iftikhar Chaudhry. The restored chief justice appeared at the balcony of his house along with his son Balach.
Rallies were taken out all around the country as leaders of political parties, including Qazi Hussain Ahmad, Imran Khan, Syed Munawwar Hasan and PML-N parliamentarians came out of hiding.
JI Ameer Qazi Hussain Ahmad addressed a large public rally at the Aabpara Chowk where a large number of party workers converged to listen to him. The local leaders of the JI, the PML-N and the PTI also took out separate rallies in different parts of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. The PML-N rallies were led by Hanif Abbasi, Haji Parvez Khan, Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry and Anjum Aqeel Khan.
The workers of the PML-N came out on the Murree Road in wee hours of Monday and continued their celebrations till late in the morning. The lawyers’ community also gathered in front of the High Court and the district bars to celebrate their grand success.
Our correspondents add from Lahore: People belonging to all walks of life including the lawyers expressed joy and happiness over the restoration of the November 2 judiciary. The reinstatement of the deposed judges has brought calm in the city as majority of the citizens were found greeting their family and friends throughout the day.
The provincial capital, which was giving the look of a battlefield throughout Sunday, returned to normalcy but with thin traffic. Most of the people remained glued to their television sets throughout the night to hear the good news.
Throughout the day, the people were seen sending SMS to their friends and families, terming Sunday’s rally of Lahore the turning point of the situation, which forced the government to restore the judges.
The decision also brought jubilation in the city, as many people were seen distributing sweets at various roads and busy crossings. A large number of political workers also gathered outside the Model Town residence of Mian Nawaz Sharif as well as at the offices of their party to celebrate victory.
Lahorites took the much-awaited decision with a broad smile, as everyone believed that the decision would bring peace and prosperity in the country. To celebrate the restoration of Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, the lawyers will observe a three-day break and offer “thanks-giving prayers” today (Tuesday).
The Punjab Bar Council has given a call to observe a three-day break in the court proceedings. Lahore High Court Bar Association Secretary Muqtadir Akhter Shabbir has announced offering “thanks-giving prayer” today on the Bar’s premises. Meanwhile, the Karachi Stock Exchange went up by 300 points, reaching to index 6,300 points as the government announced the restoration of the deposed judges.
CJ grateful to the nation
ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry highly commended the entire nation, lawyers and people from civil society for the restoration of the judiciary. In a brief address to lawyers, members of civil society and political activists who had to come to congratulate him at his residence on Monday, Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry was of the view that today he is a very satisfied man. A large number of people were present at his residence and distributed sweets in celebration. The chief justice at the request of people came to the balcony of his residence and thanked his supporters. Meanwhile, people wanted him to address them but the CJP refused, saying that now he is the formal chief justice of Pakistan and cannot address the people.
