ISLAMABAD, Oct 29: Former prime minister and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chairperson Benazir Bhutto has felicitated Justice Tariq Mehmood (retired) for his election as Supreme Court Bar Association president, says a statement issued here by the PPP media cell on Wednesday.

In a message to the newly elected president of the apex body of lawyers, Justice Tariq Mehmood (retired), Ms Bhutto said: “The Pakistan People’s Party and I extend our heartfelt congratulations to you on your election as the president of the Supreme Court Bar Association.

“This election is a special one for the PPP and for the federation as a whole given the background that led to your leaving the judiciary and re-entering the legal profession.

“It is a vindication of the principled stand that you took in refusing to allow tyranny to prevail over conscience while in judicial service,” Ms Bhutto said.

She maintained that the election showed that the nation, as well as the legal community, hails those who have the courage to sacrifice for a higher cause motivated by conscience and a dedication to truth and justice.

“In fact, in an age where lesser souls have succumbed to the false lure of material rewards, your election is a shining example to those that follow the path of commitment and principles,” the former premier said.

She said: “Your resignation from judicial office at the time of the unconstitutional referendum today stands vindicated before the bar of public opinion. The nation looks towards you and your colleagues from the legal fraternity in condemning state- sponsored perjury of justice and the perversion of its majesty.

“We join the legal fraternity in the struggle for the restoration of the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary. Inshallah, that victory will come soon,” she added. The former premier said with the results of this election, the democratic forces hope that the struggle for the placing of the Legal Framework Order before Parliament has taken another strategic step forward.