HYDERABAD, Oct 29: The deposed Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, on Wednesday congratulated lawyers’ community of the country on the victory of Ali Ahmed Kurd in the election for the post of the president of the Supreme Court Bar Association.

He was speaking on telephone to the president of Sindh High Court Bar Association, Hyderabad chapter, Qazi Abdul Sattar, who had telephoned the deposed chief justice. Lawyers present on the occasion heard the short speech of Justice Chaudhry when Qazi Sattar opened up the speakerphone.

Justice Chaudhry said that by the grace of Almighty Allah, Mr Kurd emerged victorious due to the unity among the lawyers of Pakistan. “Maintain unity in your rank and file and you will definitely achieve your goal”, the deposed Chief Justice said.

A joint meeting of the Sindh High Court Bar Association, Hyderabad chapter, and Hyderabad District Bar Association was also held to celebrate the victory of Mr Kurd. A large number of lawyers attended the meeting. They distributed sweets and cakes.

Led by Qazi Abdul Sattar, Nisar Durrani, Zahoor Baloch, Hussain Bux Thebo, Ayaz Tunio, Abdul Khaliq Leghari, Zafar Rajput and other senior lawyers, they staged a short march within the premises of the session court and raised slogans in support of Justice Chaudhry and for the independence of judiciary. They pledged to continue the struggle.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Muslim League-N activists celebrated the victory of Mr Kurd by distributing sweets at the party media centre.

Speaking on the occasion, Sultan Shaikh advocate said that despite interference by the government, the victory of Mr Kurd had proved that the lawyers of Pakistan wanted restoration of Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry as the chief justice of the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

Those who think that they can sabotage the lawyers’ movement by using state machinery are living in a fool’s paradise, Mr Shaikh said. He said 160 million people of Pakistan wanted to see Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry as CJP.

Our Mirpurkhas correspondent adds: Members of the Mirpurkhas District Bar Association distributed sweets to celebrate the victory of Mr Kurd in SCBA election.

Lawyers congratulated Mr Kurd and said that they would continue their struggle for independence of judiciary.