December 18, 2007	Tuesday	Zilhaj 7, 1428

ISLAMABAD, Dec 17: Deposed Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry on Monday advised lawyers, civil society and 160 million people of the country to continue their struggle for the supremacy of the 1973 Constitution and the rule of law.

Expressing serious concern over police action against protesters in Islamabad, he said in a message that these atrocities would never demoralise the people.

He said: “It is a barbaric act committed by police and other agencies by torturing peaceful demonstrators. Peaceful protest is the right of every citizen of Pakistan as freedom of expression is enshrined under the 1973 Constitution.”

“Look at the state of condition within a week, a blast in Quetta, Nowshera and Kohat, but the police and agencies are deputed to arrest women, torture students, lawyers and media men protesting for the rule of law,” the deposed chief justice said.

It was a highly deplorable and barbaric act of the government which exposed its weakness and nervousness.

Was martial law or the so-called emergency lifted? It appeared to be mere rhetoric, the message said.