HYDERABAD, March 18 Sindh Assembly Deputy Speaker Shehla Raza has claimed that the present democratic government had never refused to restore the deposed judges but had only sought time because there could not be two chief justices of the Supreme Court at one and at the same time.

Talking to journalists at Jashn-i-Holi here on Tuesday evening,she said that the government had tried to stop the long march and sit-in by the lawyers and political parties for security reasons.

The Chief Justice of Supreme Court, Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar, will retire on March 21 and Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry will take over as Chief Justice on March 22, she said and added that the decision of the government in this regard was hailed by the people of Pakistan and the lawyers community.

The present government had invited the political parties to constitute a committee for legislation in this regard but the offer was rejected, Ms Shehla said. She said that PPP was symbol of federation but whenever it had came into power, the undemocratic forces had hatched conspiracies against it.

The present government believed in the independence of judiciary to protect the rights of the poor people and to ensure cheap and speedy justice to them, she said.

Earlier, speaking as chief guest at the Holi function, the deputy speaker said that the people of Sindh were not only heir to an ancient civilization but its people were also peace loving and abhorred fanaticism. Sindh has also produced brave women of sterling character who have always raised their voice against tyranny and repression, she said.
Benazir Bhutto was also born in the land of Sufis and saints, who had always raised her voice for the rights of the poor people and launched a relentless struggle against tyrants, Ms Raza said.

She said that the present government was also striving to fulfil the mission of Benazir Bhutto and provide maximum facilities to the downtrodden masses.

She said the federal government had come into power with the massive mandate of people of all the provinces and added that the people were fully conscious as to which party was struggling for their rights. She called upon the politicians not to create differences among the people to achieve their personal ends as it could be harmful for the country.The President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, had raised the slogan of “Pakistan Khapey” at a very difficult time and thereby saved Pakistan, she said.

The others who spoke on the occasion included Advocate General Sindh, Yusuf Leghari, Ayaz Latif Palijo advocate, journalist Naz Sehto, Dr Tekchand, Dr Veersimal and others. The Jashn-e-Holi was arranged by Kohistan Rural Support Programme.