LAHORE – Lawyers marked “Iftikhar Day” on Wednesday to pay tribute to the Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry for his struggle against dictatorship after his suspension on March 9, 2007 by Pervez Musharraf. The lawyers hoisted black flags on the bar rooms and held general-house meetings. The Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) held its general-house meeting on Wednesday. A large number of lawyers attended the meeting. LHCBA President Ashgar Ali Gill said that CJ refused to bow to a dictator and struggled for the rule of law and judiciary’s independence. He said people from across the globe were paying tribute to him.
He appealed to the Supreme Court to decide cases of 18th and 19th constitutional amendments so that appointment of judges to higher and superior judiciary could be made to fulfill the vacuum created after some ad-hoc judges were denied confirmation. Gill hoped that the Supreme Court will take action against ‘corrupt tycoons’. Former LHCBA president Ahmed Awais said that CJ showed courage for the supremacy of the constitution. He said CJ set a precedence, which was appreciated all over the world.
Former LHCBA president Malik Saeed Hasan said the judiciary was entangled in problems. He demanded the judicial commission appoint judges regardless of their political affiliations. Allah Bukhsh Gondal said that lawyers were ready to sacrifice for the judiciary’s independence and the judiciary must be strengthened to protect the poor. Judicial Activism Panel (JAP) also held a meeting to mark Iftikhar Day. The JAP condemned March 9, 2007, they day when CJ was suspended. JAP Chairman Muhammad Azhar Siddique said that the government was not obeying court orders, which was condemnable.
Supreme Court Bar Association, Lahore Bar Association, Punjab Bar Association and Pakistan Bar Association did not organize any activity in connection with Ifikhar Day, as a majority of their representatives are anti-judiciary and pro government. The newly-elected body of the LHCBA, favoured by Hamid Khan, is pro judiciary, held its general-house meeting to mark the day.
