PESHAWAR, March 25: Deposed judges of the Peshawar High Court on Tuesday acknowledged the role played by the media and civil society in the lawyers’ movement for independent judiciary and release of detained judges.

A large number of lawyers visited the houses of three deposed judges, Justice Tariq Pervez Khan, Justice Shahjehan Khan Yousafzai and Justice Dost Mohammad Khan, and congratulated them over the recent developments in the country.

Led by Peshawar District Bar Association president Fazalur Rehman Khan, general secretary Yasir Khattak, Hidayatullah Afridi, Ms S. Naz Mohammadzai, Ayaz Khan and Gulab Shah, the lawyers marched up to the houses of the judges while raising slogans of “Go Musharraf go”.

They showered rose petals on the deposed judges and offered sweets to each other and the judges. The deposed judges said lawyers, media and civil society had rendered valuable sacrifices for independence of the judiciary.

“The restoration of the judges will herald a new era of supremacy of the Constitution, rule of the law and independence of the judiciary,” said Justice Tariq.

He predicted that the nation would soon witness revival of independent judiciary. He, however, added that it was not possible without the support and sacrifices of lawyers, media, civil society and the entire nation.

“The lawyers’ movement and the results of Feb 18 elections proved that no dictator can suppress the will of the people,” said Justice Shahjehan, adding that curbs placed on the media should be lifted.

Justice Dost Mohammad said proclamation of the state of emergency and the PCO of Nov 3, 2007, were judiciary and media specific because these two important organs of the state had been targeted.

BUNER: The District Bar Association organised a function here on Tuesday to celebrate the release of deposed judges.