December 05, 2008	Friday	Zilhaj 6, 1429

SARGODHA, Dec 4: Deposed chief justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry says that the lawyers’ movement has encouraged people to struggle for rule of law.

Addressing a mammoth gathering at the District Bar Association premises here on Thursday night, he said that justice not only guaranteed the basic rights to people but it was also imperative for the survival and integrity of the country.

He said he had no political objective as freedom of judiciary and justice for all was the sole purpose of his visits to different bars across the country.

SCBA president Ali Ahmed Kurd, and former presidents Aitezaz Ahsan Munir A. Malik also addressed the bar.

Aitezaz said that he had neither abandoned the lawyer’s movement nor lefty the PPP. He said that he would continue fighting for the independence of judiciary and supremacy of parliament.

He said the Supreme Court was not empowered to interfere in the functioning of parliament.

Munir A. Malik said the lawyers had given a new courage to people to raise voice against dictators.

Earlier, thousands of lawyers, civil society and political activists received the deposed chief justice at Bhera Interchange, 45 kilometers from Sargodha.

Supreme Court Bar Association President Ali Ahmed Kurd told reporters on the occasion that lawyers’ movement’s target was not only the restoration of Justice Chaudhry but also to provide the commoners with cheap and speedy justice.

He warned if the government did not take notice of awarding of extra marks to the daughter of Chief Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar, lawyers would proceed in accordance with the constitution.

Justice Chaudhry arrived at Bhalwal Tehsil bar where he inaugurated the Iftikhar Library at the bar and later on left for Sargodha in a procession attended by hundreds of people.

The procession headed towards Sargodha bar at a snail’s pace because of massive rush. Traders arranged reception camps at different points to show solidarity with the deposed justice.

The traders of Goal Chowk presented a golden pen to Justice Chaudhry as a token of respect and acknowledgment of his courage.