MUZAFFARGARH; Jan 6: Political freedom cannot be ensured without independence of judiciary, says PML-N Senior Vice-President Makhdoom Javed Hashmi.

Addressing members of the District Bar Association (DBA) here on Tuesday, he said rule of law and quick dispensation of justice was essential to ensure pace and stability in society.

He said the objective of independence of judiciary could not be achieved without reinstating all deposed judges, including Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry.

Hashmi said unity among political parties would rid the country of dictatorial forces and their supporters.

He said nobody could be allowed to put country’s security at risk to save an individual. He said the party that would fall prey to the trap laid by dictatorial forces would be reduced to naught.

Hashmi said the PML-Q had met its fate because of its association with Pervez Musharraf and the fate of any other political party going for developing links with the dictator would not be different.

He said the people had not given mandate to political forces for working with the remnants of Musharraf.

He said there was no ambiguity in PML-N’s stance over reinstatement of judges. “Our main concern is solidarity and integrity of the country and promotion of democratic traditions and not gaining power,” he added.

DBA President Khan Zubaidut Islam Khan Sharwani, former president Khan Wajid Nawaz Khan, Mian Ahsan Karim Qureshi, Muhammad Iqbal Ambrain also spoke on the occasion.