LONDON, June 17: Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif has praised the people for once again expressing unwavering support for rule of law and independence of judiciary in the country by according a historic reception to the Chief Justice despite government’s massive crackdown in Faisalabad.

In a press statement issued here on Sunday, Mr Sharif said a new consensus had emerged among the masses and the intelligentsia, in the wake of judicial crisis, against military’s interference in politics and judiciary for which, he added, lawyers and media deserved special credit.

The nation, he said, was demanding self-respect, dignity and freedom through restoration of genuine democracy and rule of law. Referring to US Assistant Secretary of State Negroponte’s statement that the uniform issue would be decided by Gen Musharraf, he said uniform was not a matter of personal choice, it was simply unconstitutional and not acceptable to the people.

He said the All Parties Conference being held on July 7 and 8 in London would prove to be a turning point in the political history of the country by providing an opportunity to all political parties to formulate a common agenda for restoration of constitutional governance, restoration of genuine democracy, holding of fair and free elections, establishing independent judiciary, and ending military role in politics.