Pakistani PM Resotres Cheif Justice

The Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has announced the restoration of deposed Chief Justice, Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry alongwith all judges of the superior courts.

Addressing the nation over Radio and Television this morning, the Prime Minister said the Chief Justice will assume his charge on the 21st of this month.

He said the President had also made a promise to the nation for the restoration of judges but due to some technical reasons it could not take place immediately, as Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar was working as Chief Justice of Pakistan and the President was also committed not to disturb any working judge.

However, he said, after having detailed consultations with all stake holders and coalition partners it has now been decided to restore the Chief Justice on the 21st March, when Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar gets retired. The Prime Minister also reminded the nation that it was he who announced to finish the tension of judges in his first speech before the parliament and later on released their salaries.

Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani reminded that the relations between the lawyers and PPP have always been unique as both have worked shoulder to shoulder for promotion of citizens rights. We take the lawyer community in the highest esteem as it can play very vital role in bringing rule of law in the country.

The Prime Minister said when Chief Justice was dismissed and the lawyers alongwith the civil society went into movement for restoration it was Shaheed Benazir Bhutto who took procession for restoration and he himself went to jail in the struggle. He said Benazirt Bhutto had made a promise to the nation that she will restore the deposed Chief Justice and it is the time that the government has decided to fulfil her promise to the nation.

The Prime Minister invited Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and his party to begin the process of implementation of Charter of Democracy to take along all political forces and give the nation a stable political system.

Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani also announced that the Federal Government will file a review petition in the Supreme Court on disqualification of Sharif brothers. He asked the Provincial Governments to lift section 144 and release all political workers.

The historic announcement of the Prime Minister will result in ending two years long stalemate which began on the 9th of March 2007 when the former President suspended the Chief Justice and plunged the nation into an impasse.

By Radio Pakistan