Seminar On Country's Constitution
SEMINAR
Deposed Chief Justice, Supreme Court of Pakistan, Mr Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, has said, we have full respect for an agreement on the restoration of Nov. 2, 2007, judiciary and the deposed judges, through Parliament in Pakistan, made by the mainstream political parties. He was speaking at dusk to dawn seminar on defence of constitution and its protection, held at the Balochistan High Court Complex in Quetta on Apr. 1, 2007, under the aegis of the lawyers' community. Deposed top judge, Mr Justice Iftikhar Chaudhri said we will wait for the outcome otherwise constitutionally we are the legitimate judges. No one, he added, could remove us and prevent us from performing our duties and our constitutional role in the country. Amidst clapping and cheers, Chaudhry Iftikhar declared, the days are near when we will be back on our constitutional seats to perform our legal duties. Continuing deposed Chief Justice (CJ) Iftikhar said every one in the country wants rule of law, supremacy of the constitution and sovereign parliament. Everyone in the country, he continued, also wants rule of law and not the rule of an individual.
The top judge said every sovereign state has three pillars, so have we. These are Legislature, Judiciary and Executive. No pillar of the state should be permitted to interfere in one another's affairs. He emphasized that as a nation, we should pledge for following the law and supremacy of the constitution. We should abide by the law. We should also ensure that no institution is more superior and supreme than the law. Prime purpose of the constitution, he maintained, is to safeguard the rights of the people. Strong judiciary, he added, is very much essential for strengthening democracy. Maintaining supremacy of the constitution and protecting human rights of the people. The people should ensure for the rule of law in the country. Thus alone, the nation could progress. He said the nation has brought in, a silent revolution in the country following Feb. 18, 2008 parliamentary polls. He added, credit for this goes to lawyers' community, the civil society and the media, both electronic and print. He maintained lawyers' spirit on March 9, 2007 was not only still alive, but gaining momentum for the lawyers' movement. Concluding top judge Mr Justice Iftikhar quoted Hazrat Ali (RA) saying that society live with cruelty, but not with injustice.

ARRIVAL
Earlier on his arrival at his home town, Quetta, the deposed CJ Mr Justice Iftikhar Chaudhri was given a tumultuous welcome with tons of flower petals mostly roses showered on him by milling crowd of men, women and children, at the airport and all along the route. Former Supreme Court Chief Justice, Mr Iftikhar Chaudhri took more than eight hours to arrive from the airport covering a short distance of little over 5 km, because of big cheering crowd, which moved with his vehicle either on foot or by any other available means of transport. The crowd included political activists PPP, PML, PMAP, BNP, Balochs, Pashtuns nationalists, black-suited lawyers, human rightists and members of civil society… adding political colour to the deposed CJ's warm welcome in his home town, Quetta. It was his first visit to Quetta after his release from about five months of house arrest in Islamabad on the orders of the new Prime Minister, Mr Yusuf Raza Gilani. During his stay in Quetta, deposed CJ visited Bugti House in the city, expressed condolences on the death of JWP chief Nawab Akbar Bugti, chief of Bugti tribe with the members of his family and offered Fateha for the departed soul. Mr Iftikhar Chaudhry also visited city graveyard and offered Fateha for his parents buried therein.

APDM
Convener, All Parties Democratic Movement (APDM) Mr Mehmood Khan Achakzai, Chairman, Pashtoonkhawa Milli Awami Party (PMAP) has said historic and heroic welcome accorded to deposed CJ, Mr Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry in Quetta shows that the people want restoration of Chief Justice and all other deposed judges, supremacy of the constitution, sovereignty of the parliament and rule of law in Pakistan.
Addressing a press conference in Quetta on Apr. 2, 2008, Mr Achakcai said, there is nation's unanimity of thought on fundamental points: supremacy of the constitution, freedom of judiciary and media; army and secret agencies non-interference in politics and people all source of power: in the country. He said at the Feb. 18, 2008 parliamentary polls, people have voted for the supremacy of the constitution, restoration of judiciary, revival of democracy. He demanded for the restoration of the 1973 country's constitution to the status of Oct. 12, 1999. Mr Achakzai suggested that a roundtable conference be immediately convened to consider measures for diminishing various disputes and differences among nationalities and institutions. All political forces outside the parliament, people belonging to different walks of life including media and lawyers should also be invited to the proposed roundtable conference to development general consensus on solving different issues.
APDM convener appreciated Prime Minister Yusuf Gilani announcement for the withdrawal of FCR from FATA and other tribal areas. He proposed to involve tribal people in a dialogue for developing general consensus on the introduction and implementation of comprehensive reforms for positive results. Achakzai added, the country must be run according to the 21st century's desires and demands. Mr Achakzai said, we want such a country where rights of resources are given to the real owners.l