Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry restored as Chief Justice of Pakistan 

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani early Monday morning announced reinstatement of the deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry and other judges. 

“I restore the deposed chief justice and others according to the promise made by me and the President,” Gilani said in a televised address to the nation. 

The announcement, in light of the directive of President Asif Ali Zardari, met the main demand of the political parties and the lawyers’ community. 

He said, “A notification to this effect is being issued now.” He said Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry would replace Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar, who retires on March 21. 

Gilani said and pledged to “continue the politics of reconciliation.” The deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry was removed from service by former President Pervez Musharraf on March 9, 2007, sparking a wave of protest that led to his resignation from his office on August 18, 2008.

The prime minister also announced reinstatement of other judges of the Supreme Court and said the number of judges for the apex court has already been increased through legislation to accommodate the reinstated judges.

The prime minister also announced that the federal government would file a review petition in the Supreme Court seeking reversal of the order of disqualification of Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif, and addressing all issues in light of the Charter of Democracy. 

“I invite them to move forward along with all political forces for the implementation of the Charter of Democracy,” Gilani said.

He asked the provincial governments to lift the Section 144 immediately and release the arrested persons. He said the PPP had made a lot of contribution to the lawyers’ movement and rendered numerous sacrifices. He said shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto had pledged to reinstate the deposed Chief Justice. 

Gilani said President Asif Ali Zardari also pledged to do the same. 

Gilani recalled that soon after securing a heavy mandate from the parliament he had announced the release of the detained judges and also restoration of their emoluments. 

The prime minister said the decision was taken in consultation with the allies.

Gilani also greeted Chairman of Pakistan People’s Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, lawyers, political workers, and civil society on this auspicious occasion and asked them to celebrate the occasion in a befitting manner.

Nawaz greets nation over restoration of deposed judges

GUJRANWALA: Pakistan Muslim League-N Quaid Mian Nawaz Sharif announced on Monday to call off the long march. He congratulated the whole nation over the reinstatement of deposed judges.

Addressing a charged long march rally here, Nawaz termed the restoration of Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry a big success and a prelude to positive change.

He said Justice Iftikhar did not bow down to the dictator.

He said that the decision to call off the long march has been made after consultations with Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Qazi Hussain Ahmed, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chief Imran Khan and Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President Ali Ahmed Kurd.

Curtailing Justice Iftikhar’s tenure to harm democracy: Athar Minallah

ISLAMABAD: The spokesman of Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, Athar Minallah has said that curtailing the tenure of Justice Iftikhar could harm democracy in the country.

Talking to media outside the residence of Justice Iftikhar, he said the Lawyers Raabta Council would review Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani’s speech. Athar Minallah said the nation wants abolition of the theory of necessity and the steps taken on November 3.

He said that any attempt to curtail chief justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry’s tenure would deprive the government of people’s confidence.

Liaquat hopeful of achieving goal

ISLAMABAD: The Jamaat-e-Islami leader Liaquat Baloch said on Monday that they have agreed on a single-point agenda that the pre- November 2 judiciary be restored. 

He said that the nation has already woken up but the rulers were sleeping. Baloch said that their goal was very near of success.

PM’s speech to focus on single-point agenda

ISLAMABAD: It has been reliably learnt that the prime minister’s speech would focus on a single-point agenda i.e. announcement about the restoration of deposed Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry.

According to well-placed sources, the delay in PM’s speech has been occurred because the government wants the whole nation to watch the live address of the prime minister.

Nation eagerly waits PM’s address

ISLAMABAD: The nation is anxiously waiting for Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani’s address.

At this historic moment in country’s history, the prime minister will announce to reinstate the deposed CJ Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry.

Justice Iftikhar to assume charge on March 22

ISLAMABAD: According to well-placed sources, the deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry will assume charge as chief justice of Pakistan on March 22. The current chief justice Abdul Hameed Dogar retires on March 21.

The majority party will be asked to form the government in Punjab once the governor’s rule was lifted, the sources said.

Lawyers start pouring outside Justice Iftikhar’s residence

ISLAMABD: Prior to the expected announcement about the reinstatement of the deposed chief justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, lawyers started pouring outside the residence of the chief justice at the Judges Colony in Islamabad.

PM leaves Aiwan-e-Sadr after meeting President

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has left Aiwan-e-Sadr after holding an important meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari.

The PM will address to the nation shortly, in which he will make announcement of reinstatement of deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry through an Executive Order.

Iftikhar’s reinstatement victory of President, PM: Hashmi

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-N leader Makhdoom Javed Hashmi has dubbed the reinstatement of deposed Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Ifitikhar Muhammad Chaudhry as victory of the entire nation, lawyers, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Ginali.

Talking to media outside the residence of the deposed CJ, he lauded lawyers’ movement in securing the deposed CJ’s reinstatement.

“I laud the efforts of media, which have shown their power in order to accomplish the goals”, he expressed his facilitation to media saying, “Nawaz Sharif, Qazi Hussain Ahmed, Imran Khan and Mehmood Achakzai promised to get the deposed CJ reinstated.”

The announcement, PM will make in his address, will make the dreams of 16 million people come true, he hoped maintaining, “I offer my prior greetings to media, lawyers and the CJ over his reinstatement.”

President takes coalition leaders into confidence

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has taken ANP chief Asfandyar Wali, JUU-F chief Fazlur Rehman and MQM chief Altaf Hussain into confidence about the reinstatement of the deposed chief justice Iftikhkar Muhammad Chaudhry. 

The president also contacted Balochistan chief minister Aslam Raisani to inform him about the decision.

Ch. Iftikhar offers prayers of thanks

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Iftikahr Muahmmad Chaudhry has offered prayers of thanks ahead of his restoration.

Hundreds of people thronged CJ’s residence to extend greetings to him.

US welcomes restoration of Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry

ISLAMABAD: The United States Monday welcomed Pakistan's decision to reinstate its top judge as a move to "defuse a serious confrontation" and a "substantial step towards national reconciliation."

"This is a statesmanlike decision taken to defuse a serious confrontation, and the apparent removal of this long-standing national issue is a substantial step towards national reconciliation," said the US embassy in Islamabad.

"Now is the time for all Pakistanis and their political representatives to work together, with the support of their friends and allies, to peacefully strengthen their democracy and ensure a positive dialogue," it added.

Security around deposed chief justice’s residence beefed up

ISLAMABAD: Prior to the expected announcement about the reinstatement of the deposed chief justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, people from all walks of life thronged the residence of the deposed CJ at the Judges’ Colony in Islamabad. 

Meanwhile, security outside the residence of the deposed chief justice has been beefed up. The people visiting the residence of the CJ were overjoyed.

Restoration incomplete sans segregating present judges in apex court

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-N President Mian Shahbaz Sharif has said that Chaudhry Nisar had been informed of the restoration of deposed Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry.

Talking in Geo news program “Aaj Kamran Khan Kay Sath”, Shahbaz lauded the role of media for promoting the truth. He said the nation would always remember Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani if he announces restoration of Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry.

Shahbaz added the restoration of deposed judges could not be accomplished without segregating the PCO judges from the apex court.

PM to announce restoration of Justice Iftikhar in his address

ISLAMABAD: The Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani will address to the nation today at 2am, Geo news has reported.

According to well-placed sources, an important meeting between President Asif Ali Zardari and PM Gilani is underway at the Aiwan-e-Sadr.

Talking in Geo news program “Meray Mutabiq”, senior journalist Muhammad Saleh Zafar has said that the premier would address to the nation at 2am in which he will announce unconditional restoration of deposed Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry.

He said in an important President, PM and the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) is underway to resolve the present crisis.

Two helicopters have been kept on stand by to bring PML-N Quaid Mian Nawaz Sharif to Islamabad. He will be taken into confidence over the whole situation. Saleh Zafar said the deposed CJ will be restored this week and today’s announcement would bring to its logical conclusion.

Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry to be restored as Chief Justice of Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: In a golden moment in Pakistan’s history, the government has decided to restore the deposed Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry.

The Opposition Leader in the National Assembly, Chaudhry Nisar told Geo news about the decision of Justice Iftikhar’s reinstatement. He told Geo news senior Analyst Kamran Khan that Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani had personally told him about Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry’s reinstatement.

Chaudhry Nisar said the PM would reinstate the deposed chief justice through an executive order.

Imran terms lawyers’ movement as Pakistan’s movement

RAWALPINDI: The leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf Imran Khan said the movement seeking the independence of judiciary is not restricted to any province of Pakistan instead he termed the movement as the Pakistan’s movement.

Talking about the slogans against the Sindh province being chanted during lawyers’ long march, he said this movement is being struggled for the independence of judiciary for the bright future of Pakistan so it should not be related to any particular province.