April 03, 2007	Tuesday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 14, 1428

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ISLAMABAD, April 2: The Citizens Group on Electoral Process (CGEP) has expressed grave concern over the government’s stance in the matter of the President’s reference against the Chief Justice and the issues surrounding it.

The group, in its meeting chaired by Justice (retired) Wajihuddin Ahmad, observed that the manner in which Chief Justice Ifitkhar Mohammad Chaudhary was treated by the government was derogatory and contemptuous of the judiciary itself.

The meeting was attended by Lt-Gen (retired) Asad Durrani (former DG, ISI and MI), Ghazi Salahuddin, Dr Ijaz Shafi Gilani, Lt-Gen (retired) Moinuddin Haider (former interior minister and Governor Sindh), Mujibur Rehman Shami, Munir A Malik (President, Supreme Court Bar Association), Justice (retired) Nasira Javed Iqbal, Shafqat Mahmood (former senator and minister), Shahid Hamid (former Governor Punjab), noted journalist Talat Hussain and Ahmed Bilal Mehboob.

The group said there was no provision in the Constitution nor any precedent by which a supreme court judge could be restrained from working, then made non-functional and then sent on purported compulsory leave.

The group disapproved the manner and mode by which the judicial pillar of the state had been seriously damaged by the executive and opined that these actions had grossly undermined the prospects of free and fair elections, specially that of the President.

The group has also noted with concern the pressure that is being exerted on the media. This was a direct threat to fundamental freedoms enshrined in the Constitution. It was to the media’s credit that it was resisting all such pressures and continued to inform the public, without fear of favour.

“While these developments are disturbing, the group has noted with deep appreciation the response of the lawyers’ community and civil society,” a press release issued here said.

Paleejo: Leader of Awami Tehreek Rasool Bux Paleejo has demanded of the government to restore the non-functional CJ and seek apology from the nation, reports Online news agency.

IMRAN: Chairman of Tehreek Insaf Imran Khan said no one can stop the masses to stage a protest in front of Supreme Court on Tuesday.