February 02, 2008	Saturday	Muharram 23, 1429

RAWALPINDI, Feb 1: Former prime minister and leader of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Mian Nawaz Sharif on Friday called for doing away with doctrine of necessity as in its presence the country could not get real democracy and an independent judiciary.

Addressing an extended gathering of lawyers at High Court Bar Association (HCBA) Rawalpindi where he was invited by the bar office bearers to exhibit solidarity with the deposed judges he said in the 21st century the dictatorship was on the wane wherever it exists in the world.

Mr Sharif said the ‘dictator’ had no respect for constitution, democracy, judiciary, media and civil society as he in his recent tour to European countries had humiliated the people of Pakistan by saying that they did not need democracy and basic human rights.

The PML-N leader said all institution in the country had been destabilised by one person.

What he could not do as President on March 9 he did as an army chief on November 3 in flagrant violation of the 1973 constitution, he said.

Praising the struggle of the lawyers, he said they were performing a national duty.

He said he had called a meeting of his party candidates on February 6 in Lahore to observe Yom-e-Ehad and they would be administered oath that they would not be a part of any attempt to legalise any unconstitutional steps rather would work for the restoration of the judges.

He said he hundred percent agreed with the views of legal fraternity. Nawaz Sharif said the real emergency would only be lifted when deposed chief justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry was restored along with other judges.

President of HCBA Sardar Asmatullah welcomed his guest and said it was the struggle of the lawyers that forced the autocrat ruler to allow the homecoming of both late Benazir Bhutto and Mian Nawaz from exile.

Our Correspondent adds from Taxila: Addressing a public meeting here former Prime Minister and PML-N Chief Mian Nawaz Sharif said the rulers had ruined all the institutions and PML-N after coming into power would restore all the deposed judges of the superior courts.

He said his party would restore the constitution to pre-October 99 condition and media would have complete freedom.

The meeting was also attended by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leaders Raja Ishfaq Sarwar, Ch Tanveer Khan and Ch Nisar Ali Khan.