LAHORE: Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry said on Saturday that Senator Raza Rabbani's report, submitted to the parliament for 18th constitutional amendment, stated that lawyers movement for the restoration of independent judiciary played a vital role to oust the dictator from power.

Addressing the District Bar Association at an annual dinner, he said that every movement for the betterment of the country had been initiated from Lahore and lawyer movement had also been launched from the city.

The chief justice said that under Article (2a) of the Constitution the country would be ruled through chosen representatives of the people. He said that constitution had provided full protection to the basic rights of citizens, but at the same time they were held responsible to perform their duties in accordance with the law and the constitution.

Justice Chaudhry said that present democratic government was completing its term in the office due to the lawyers’ struggle and sacrifices.

The CJ said that a lot of litigation had increased during last 60 years, but the number of judges was not increased according to the increased cases. He said that he was in contact with the government to seek funds for the increase of number of subordinate judges.

Earlier, Lahore High Court Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial and President Lahore District Bar Association Ch Zulfiqar Ali also addressed the function.