ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, who marched triumphantly into his office on Tuesday after a break of 16 months, appealed to lawyers to help him rid the judiciary of corruption.

‘It is a matter of great satisfaction and a day of thanksgiving to Allah Almighty that after a long time the original court has been restored,’ the chief justice told lawyers and staff of the Supreme Court gathered in the courtroom to welcome him.

The chief justice observed that the lawyers’ two-year struggle was for the rule of law and for ridding the institution of judiciary of corruption.

‘In my opinion, lawyers will have to continue their struggle for dignity of this institution and make it more respectable. I request all of you to come and point out incidents of corruption right from the lower court to the higher court, including myself, in case of any complaint of corruption or misconduct,’ the chief justice said.

The complaint should be based on facts, instead of hearsay, and if found correct action would be taken, the chief justice added.

Earlier, the chief justice and Justice Khalilur Rehman Ramday were escorted by lawyers from his residence to the Supreme Court. Lawyers and civil society activists waving national flag and ceremonial banners showered his vehicle with rose petals. They released coloured balloons into the sky.

Ms Amina Masood Janjua, who spearheaded the cause of missing people, was also outside the residence of the chief justice, along with family members of the missing people.

Covered with rose petals, the black sedan carrying the chief justice entered the court compound under heavy police security. The chief justice was given standing ovation by lawyers when he entered the courtroom. ‘Welcome, welcome,’ the lawyers chanted.

Zulfikar Khalid Maluka, additional secretary of the Supreme Court Bar Association, said: ‘We have gathered at the Constitution Avenue and inside the courtroom to affirm a faith, a faith in common purpose, a common conviction, a common devotion for the rule of law and the independence of judiciary.’

’These are unique moments in the life of 170 million citizens who demonstrated to the world not to see us with prejudiced lenses of extremism and terrorism. We are different people who have struggled for over two years for this noble cause. No doubt we have earned this day through continuous peaceful struggle.’

The chief justice thanked Mr Maluka and said: ‘I am grateful on my behalf and on behalf of my learned brothers sitting in different courts.’

Later, the chief justice administered oath to Justice (retd) Hamid Ali Mirza, the newly-appointed chief election commissioner. Attorney General Sardar Mohammad Latif Khan Khosa attended the oath-taking ceremony.

Tuesday’s proceedings started with recitation of versus from the Holy Quran by Advocate Akram Sheikh. Supreme Court Registrar Dr Faqir Hussain conducted the proceedings.