February 26, 2008	Tuesday	Safar 18, 1429

RAWALPINDI, Feb 25: Democracy in Pakistan has always been a victim of conspiracies hatched in power corridors against the will of people but this time the lawyers will not accept any understanding between the newly-elected members of parliament and President Musharraf to give legitimacy to the latter’s November 3 steps.

This was stated by Justice (retired) Wajihuddin while addressing a meeting of the Rawalpindi Bar Association (RBA) here on Monday. He warned the newly-elected members of parliament not to compromise on the year-long struggle of the lawyers.

He said talks were underway in the federal capital about formation of a new government and there were hints about giving safe passage to the president. The lawyers will not accept any attempt to provide legitimacy to the unconstitutional steps taken by the president after Nov 3, he declared.

He said the February 18 general elections were a public verdict against the president and his policies and “if the newly-elected politicians tried to ignore the writings on the wall, there will be an uprising against the government.” The retired judge of the Supreme Court said the lawyers’ agitation would see new heights if their demands were not fulfilled by the elected representatives.

He criticised some legal experts for maintaining that an executive order by chief of the army staff could restore the deposed judges. “Only parliament can set aside the unconstitutional steps of a dictator and that will be a good omen for the future of the country,” he maintained.

Criticising caretaker Prime Minister Mohammedmian Soomro, he said it was also an unprecedented step of the Musharraf regime to make the chairman Senate as caretaker prime minister. Another such move was when the former speaker of the National Assembly was made acting president during Mr Musharraf’s foreign visit, he said.

“The caretaker PM has done nothing good for the common man but has given more benefits to the chairmen Senate entitling them to all official benefits even after retirement,” he alleged.