Saturday, April 26, 2008, Rabi-ul-Sani 19, 1429    

Restoration of judiciary
Aitzaz hopes positive development

Tahir Rashid

Rawalpindi—April 25 –President Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan has said that there would be some positive development in coming week regarding restoration of deposed judges. The legal fraternity has firm believe without any doubt or reservation that Bhurban Declaration would be implemented in its true letter and spirit.

He was speaking to journalists after prize distribution ceremony of Jinnah Institute of Informatics and Commerce here on Friday. He said that the lawyers’ community would never speak even a single word due to which any body could get a chance to pinpoint towards their movement.

He said that matter of any constitutional package would be discussed with the deposed judges because their dictum regarding the subject would be most imperative. “Restoration of judges and constitutional package are two different issues which could not be interlinked”, he added.

Replying a question, he said that the lawyers would decide with consultation whether to give more time to the government or not for reinstatement of judges. “We have been waiting April 30 eagerly because the date was fixed by the leaders of two big political parties and not by us.”

Responding another question, President SCBA said that he has submitted the application to PPP to contest by-election from NA-55 Rawalpindi. Although the seat belongs to PML (N) but Nawaz Sharif has very kindly offered him. “I would be the candidate of PPP only and if Asif Zardari wants to contest elections form NA-55 he would be most welcome. It was the decision of Supreme Court Bar Association that I should contest by-elections to take the voice of lawyers to the Parliament”, he added.

While addressing the ceremony Barrister Aitzaz said that it was the dream of Jinnah to make Pakistan a welfare state but regular intervention of non-democratic forces, the country’s status has been changed from welfare state to national security state.

The renowned lawyer was of the view that in the real welfare state, the relation between country and people is as deep as the relation between mother and child but it is only possible that justice prevails in the country. He said that without justice even parliamentary democracy could not sustain.

He told the gathering that lawyers are striving for restoration of judiciary just to realize the dream of Quaid-e-Azam.