December 12, 2008	Friday	Zilhaj 13, 1429

KARACHI, Dec 11: Senior Sindh Minister Pir Mazharul Haq and Minister for Law Ayaz Soomro have condemned criticism of the chief justice of Pakistan, maintaining that a “particular group has initiated a smear campaign against Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar.”

In a joint statement issued here on Thursday, they expressed the view that the campaign was part of a conspiracy and its very purpose was to defame the chief justice.

The statement said that the same elements had launched a campaign in the past against another chief justice of Pakistan, Syed Sajjad Ali Shah, who was eventually removed from his office in an unceremonious manner.

The ministers pointed out that at a time when the country needed unity and cohesion and the nation faced serious challenges, such a campaign was not at all in the national interest.—APP