April 26, 2008	Saturday	Rabi-us-Sani 19, 1429

KARACHI, April 25: Makhdoom Javed Hashmi (MNA), a central leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, has said that the ruling coalition will have to restore the judiciary to its pre-Nov 3 position to reinstate all deposed judges, warning that his party will give up ministries if it was not done.

Talking to journalists during his visit to the Karachi Press Club on Friday, he said that the government was supposed to restore the pre-Nov 3 judiciary within the stipulated time, and pointed out that six days were left to meet the deadline. “If the ruling coalition failed to reinstate the deposed judges, the PML-N ministers will pull out of the government but the party will continue to support the PPP government in accordance with the provisions of the Charter of Democracy,” he added.

“Our policy is very clear… we faced arrests, detentions, maltreatment and other atrocities, but we have not contested the elections for ministries… we have resolved to see the judiciary restored,” he said.

Mr Hashmi criticised retired Gen Pervez Musharraf for sacking and detaining judges. He also castigated former prime minister Shaukat Aziz for pursuing the policies that “destroyed the economy and created water, power, flour and sugar crises.” But now, he added, the new government would be responsible for any shortage and inflation.

The PML-N leader commended the valiant struggle spearheaded by the legal fraternity, and observed that it remained peaceful throughout as no property was damaged in any part of the country.

He said he had come to Karachi to salute the lawyers’ leadership and those who lost their lives in the Tahir Plaza blaze.

He advised the Muttahida Qaumi Movement to support the cause of the restoration of judges and repeal of Article 58 (2) b.

Mr Hashmi said that the May 12 and April 9 violence in Karachi would be investigated through a judicial body, and said that the MQM should agree to the holding of the inquiries.

Those found responsible for the Tahir Plaza tragedy should be given exemplary punishment, he said.—Agencies