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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Senator Aitzaz Ahsan on Tuesday said former chief justice Iftikhar Chaudhry misused his office and the opportunity he received after reinstatement for fulfilling “personal aggrandizement”.
“Pakistan had never seen such a powerful chief justice nor will it see in future,” Aitzaz said in an interview to Capital TV.
“We forced a president, army chief and a democratic government to get him reinstated but [Iftikhar Chaudhry] wasted the opportunity and used it to fulfil his personal agenda. I still regret this.”
Read: Ex-CJ Iftikhar Chaudhry accused of having misused HBFC loan
The PPP senator said he would have been a happy man if Chaudhry had done something to reform lower judiciary. “A common citizen’s first contact with the legal system happens at lower judiciary,” he said.
He added that the former chief justice got involved in Memogate scandal, National Reconciliation Ordinance case and even directed the Election Commission of Pakistan to hold presidential elections before the announced date on the behest of Nawaz Sharif.
Read: Senators want ex-CJ Chaudhry to explain additional privileges
Despite his grievances with Chaudhry, Aitzaz maintained that he had no qualms over being a part of the lawyers’ movement launched for the independence of judiciary in the country.
“My commitment was with the institution of judiciary and not with the former chief justice,” he said.
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Comments (83) Closed
Jul 06, 2016 12:03am
Politics is just such a dirty thing in this land of the pure.After supporting him left right and centre Aitzaz has the gall to now say what exactly musharraf was saying all along about CJ IC.Atizaz should hence apologise to the nation for misleading about IC.
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Jul 06, 2016 12:08am
Mr Musharraf was correct when he took action against the CJ.
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Jul 06, 2016 12:07am
I think public has better eye as we all know that Iftikhar Chaudhry is taking full advantage of his post but neither Imran Khan not Aitzaz Ahsan said anything till he had done the damage and retired.
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Jul 06, 2016 12:25am
The former CJ was a mediocre egotistical person who was most interested in self-promotion. He was and is not a visionary leader. He promoted and protected his own personal agenda and did nothing good for the nation after he was reinstated.
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Jul 06, 2016 12:29am
Because he sacked PPP's Prime Minister?
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Jul 06, 2016 12:28am
Iftekhar Chaudary is history. Is current CJ doing anything about reforming lower judiciary and if not why not ? Do we have to wait for another lawyer's movement !!
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Jul 06, 2016 12:32am
Mr. Aitezaz and this nation owe an apology to Musharraf.
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Jul 06, 2016 12:33am
Mr. Aitzaz Ahsan conveniently omits the Swiss Letter where Mr. Chaudhry supported his boss Zardari to get scot free.
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Jul 06, 2016 12:35am
You both are the Chaudhrys of Pakistan and whom should we believe.
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Jul 06, 2016 12:40am
PPP should file a case against Iftikhar Choudhry on his miss use of powers ,Aitezaz Ehsan is only good in "karwai dalna".
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Jul 06, 2016 12:41am
I compele agree with him.
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Jul 06, 2016 12:46am
Agree! Iftikhar Chaudhary was a waste
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Jul 06, 2016 12:45am
Why did you drive him around then?
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Jul 06, 2016 12:56am
So stupid we all were as a nation that we expected from a PCO judge to reform the system.
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Jul 06, 2016 01:03am
It turns out that Imran Khan was right all along.
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Jul 06, 2016 01:06am
Too late and vague too. Why so ?
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Jul 06, 2016 01:24am
So true. He did nothing to improve judicial system when he was the most powerful man and people blindly backed him. He let them down.
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Jul 06, 2016 01:35am
why no ownership ?
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Jul 06, 2016 01:45am
No sir, I strongly disagree with Aitzaz Ahsan. He and his movement gave unprecedented importance and strength to a single man instead of the institution, and even worse glorified the very wrong person.
He should seek pardon from the nation for the wavered path taken and without any future strategy of strengthening the institution after reinstatement of the CJ, as claimed by him. At least it was his lack of professionalism that will be considered recklessness.
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Jul 06, 2016 01:51am
That's why the world now agrees that every decision of Musharaf was right!
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Jul 06, 2016 01:55am
This has become our national habit to unfold the pandora box after a person is retired or resigned. Not expected such criticism from a renowned person. Why cry over spilt milk.
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Jul 06, 2016 02:16am
One more leader added to the corruption list.
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Jul 06, 2016 02:41am
Iftikhar Sahib made everyone "maamoo" :)
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Jul 06, 2016 03:05am
Chief Justice was not the only one who profited from this misuse...politicians and criminals were its biggest beneficiaries
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Jul 06, 2016 03:20am
Aitzaz is a politician, he has no credibility. He is not even a good lawyer. Former chief Justice has given us to his credit: local bodies election, NRO unconstitutional, Imran khan apology in court, Gilani going home for contempt, Baluchistan missing persons in lime light. No one has the guts to stand tall than Chief justice, he gave us, the ordinary citizen a ray of hope that Justice can be served even if we have the most corrupt politicians in the world. Unfortunately we have only one Chuadhry Justice, others are fake like Aitzaz charging hefty fees because of his political connection selling justice to do injustice.
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Jul 06, 2016 03:19am
A Pakistani politician being a Pakistani politician.. Why is this a news?
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Jul 06, 2016 03:36am
It is shame that AH also used the justice movement for his interest as well .
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Jul 06, 2016 03:52am
True. Iftikhar Chaudhry was unfit for CJ or any other position in judiciary.
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Jul 06, 2016 04:13am
Agree 100%
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Jul 06, 2016 04:15am
Judicial independence must have been followed by judicial integrity.
It was a sad end to great beginning.
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Jul 06, 2016 04:24am
This man spearheaded the campaign against Musharraf to get Iftikhar Chaudhry re-instated and now admits it was the wrong thing to do.
History has proven yet AGAIN that Musharraf was RIGHT!
Bring back Musharraf!
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Jul 06, 2016 04:32am
totally agree with you on this
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Jul 06, 2016 05:16am
Not alone Iftikhar Ch but Ch. Aitzaz is also couldn't brace the respect and credibility the entire nation once had trusted to both of them.
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Jul 06, 2016 06:02am
Senator Aitzaz Ahsan lacks professional integrity and individually not a credible person. Why wouldn't he say when Chief Justice Chaudry Iftikhar was in power? Why he is saying now. I believe despite his shortcomings, Justice Iftikhar Chaudry was the best Chief Justice Pakistan had. He brought independence to judiciary by challenging the most powerful dictator. The services he rendered must be appreciated.
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Jul 06, 2016 06:36am
Sir,
Too Little Too Late!
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Jul 06, 2016 07:05am
Hypocrite!
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Jul 06, 2016 07:35am
Iftikhar Chaudary was a self centered opportunist and used Aitzaz Ahsan also for his advantage. Obviously Musharraf had figured out Iftikhar Chaudary correctly.
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Jul 06, 2016 07:43am
@M Jamal : No.Mush action was not correct. If he - Mush- was so sincere he could and should have done many good things for the betterment of masses which he chose not to do.
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Jul 06, 2016 07:47am
Lol.. he was a hero of the nation once upon a time.
Sad and bitter truth of Pakistani politics..
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Jul 06, 2016 08:09am
@sid : Want Mush back ? Wishful thinking....to say the least. He's gone for good.
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Jul 06, 2016 08:20am
Every one know what your PPP did and how looted and plundered Pakistan and its institution.And what role AA played during BB regime to favour India that every one knows?Iftikhsr Ch challenged the very Mafia the most corrupt one that was his personal agenda?He did a lot good to the Country and stood like a rock against the looters!Well done IftikharCh.
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Jul 06, 2016 08:28am
Iftikhar Chaudhry should have been one of those that sit outside the court house, typing applications for the customers. That man made a monkey out of the whole NS government, but then he claimed to be related to NS.
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Jul 06, 2016 08:35am
Aitzaz was trying carve a role for himself in the political vacuume created with the absence of PPP leadership from the country at that time. He was leading the lawyers movement for his own projection. Later he expected CJ to return favor when he appeared as former PM 'd lawyer. When CJ did not oblige Aitzaz got disappointedwith him. Both CJ and Aitzaz were trying to use each othe. CJ got better of Aitzaz.
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Jul 06, 2016 08:41am
Why crying over spilled milk
You all are a shame to the nation
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Jul 06, 2016 08:44am
@Najam
You are perfectly right that " it was a sad ending to a great beginning" .
Iftikhar Ch could have provided the ideals,the stardom that our nation craved for . But he failed miserably . His personal loss was immense but the national loss has been infinite.
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Jul 06, 2016 08:45am
@sid , Being back where?
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Jul 06, 2016 09:04am
Look who is talking!
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Jul 06, 2016 09:04am
We had only one CJ who enforced rule of law which is why all these characters are against him.
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Jul 06, 2016 09:08am
I wish the courts were more dedicated to their work rather than showing strength.
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Jul 06, 2016 09:09am
Unfortunately Aitzaz Hassan never stopped Zardari from looting Pakistan's national wealth.
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Jul 06, 2016 09:13am
Hai uss zood e pashemaan ka pashemaan hona :)
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Jul 06, 2016 09:29am
No offence but you all people are like 11 11 players of two teams, just playing the game between yourselves. Salute to you all.
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Jul 06, 2016 10:04am
Let's not ignore media's role in hyping up Iftikhar Chaudary.
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Jul 06, 2016 10:09am
Ch Iftikhat is Pakistan hero who stopped PPP n its stooges from looting and plundering Pakistan.
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Jul 06, 2016 10:15am
And while we comment Mr Choudhry has taken a suo motu on this matter.
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Jul 06, 2016 10:26am
Mr. Aitizaz you are becoming partisan. Your party was in power those days so you are targeting him as he had taken action against your party. Why be so realistic now.
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Jul 06, 2016 10:52am
So, what you all think of Musharraf now? People who ousted him wasted a good brave man. In fact, as a nation we wasted him. He is a good man.
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Jul 06, 2016 10:54am
Nation should trust ppp and pmln ever again.
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Jul 06, 2016 11:12am
@aslam shaikh1 totally disagree.
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Jul 06, 2016 11:49am
But Aitzaz was always seen on front in former CJ's notorious rallies
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Jul 06, 2016 01:49pm
very true.... Thanks God that he is history.
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Jul 06, 2016 06:26pm
@M Jamal, your view into he matter is absolutely vague as well s absurd.
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Jul 07, 2016 02:11pm
Is there any institution in Pakistan where the most junior to the most senior person does not misuse his office? This is a serious question; I'm hoping that someone can name one office that has not being misused, so that my hope for Pakistan is rekindled.
No one plays by the rules; the 'so called' leaders on the nation need to start by example.
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Jul 07, 2016 03:58pm
@M Jamal You can't do the right thing by an illegal method. Musharraf's tenure was illegal- no matter if his attentions were sincere. Pakistanis have to realize that military is not the solution.
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Jul 07, 2016 06:17pm
It is not IC's fault, it is you and people of Pakistan always wanted some individual comes from nowhere and resolved your issue and hence supporting institution you and people of Pakistani people support individual. Look at your history and find above quote appropriate.
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Jul 07, 2016 07:33pm
The senator has mentioned only Memogate;NRO and cases involving PPP to defame
the retd CJ . May I ask him how much he profited in his practice by gaining stature due to Retd CJ's case ?
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Jul 07, 2016 08:42pm
Speaking of misusing the office, how quickly Aitazaz Ahsan forgets of his beloved leaders of his parties.
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Jul 07, 2016 09:12pm
It is Pakistan's bad luck that the people who were supposed to rescue us from the pathetic conditions are the ones who exploited these conditions for personal gains. Iftikhar Chaudhry had the whole nation's sympathies with him and look what he did.
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Jul 07, 2016 10:34pm
All the Lawyers jokes were initiated and invented because of Aitzaz Ahasan.
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Jul 07, 2016 11:25pm
What is this? A pot calling a kettle black?
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Jul 08, 2016 02:55am
@Raj Patel that's harsh but true.... we should built up a system of justice and progression rather than depending on individuals who have their vested interest.
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Jul 08, 2016 06:08am
@Khuram no, Imran Khan was wrong because he supported Iftikhar Chaudhry blindly, becoming part of the corrupt politicised lawyers' movement. The only one who was right all along was Musharraf.
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Jul 08, 2016 06:15am
@Baaligh actually, he did a lot for the betterment of the masses. Musharraf era has been the best in Pakistan: unprecedented economic growth, massive reduction of debt, increase in literacy and decrease in poverty, unprecedented development nationwide, grassroot democracy in the form of Nazim system, higher education, IT/telecoms boom, small scale and large scale manufacturing boom, unprecedented job creation, becoming a part of the "next 11" club, massive foreign reserve increase, massive direct investment in pakistan etc etc.
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Jul 08, 2016 06:57am
Any lawyer who publicly criticizes his own client without facts is a criminal in my books and in the US he would ave been severely sanctioned if not barred from practicing law. I have lost all respect for Aatzaz Ahsan
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Jul 08, 2016 07:14am
@F Khan Also to Musharraf .
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Jul 08, 2016 07:14am
@M Jamal Absolutely
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Jul 08, 2016 07:14am
@RIZ Nobody could
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Jul 08, 2016 07:16am
@Ajaz Ali That was wrong , it did not serve the nation but him
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Jul 08, 2016 07:19am
@Secular Pathan He did not know then
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Jul 08, 2016 07:26am
@Abdulla Hussain Remember the weapon " contempt of Court" Nobody has ever used it after Iftikhar is gone,
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Jul 08, 2016 07:30am
@Waqas Shaikh Not true. Have you ever heard misuse of contempt of court law
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Jul 08, 2016 07:25pm
Former Cisc stood bravely against a dictator along with armored lets. &civil beaur.justice prevailed with military discredited.coming cjs did not have courage,alas.rest is history.
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Jul 08, 2016 10:55pm
All of those who supported iftikhar chaudhry... should take blame for derailment of Pakistan because after that Pakistan never got out of the quagmire that it got into....
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