Iftikhar to end injustice

ISLAMABAD - Visiting US Congressional delegation called on deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry at his residence here on Monday.

The sources privy to the talks told that in the meeting the ongoing judicial crisis was discussed at full length. " Deposed Chief Justice told US Congress delegation that he was not fighting for himself rather his and lawyer fraternity's struggle was for the independence of judiciary in the country", the sources added.

The sources revealed that in the meeting minus-one and minus-two formulas also came under discussion. " Deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry told the delegation in clear terms that he would not surrender before injustice and would continue fighting till the judiciary in Pakistan enjoyed undiluted independence", the sources informed.  

Later on taking to media persons about the meeting of US Congressional delegation with deposed CJ, President Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) Aitzaz Ahsan said, "During the meeting of US Congress delegation with the deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry the delegation supported the stance on reinstatement of judges through an executive order and fully agreed on the restoration of judiciary".

Aitzaz Ahsan said that the deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry was and would remain Chief Justice till 2013. "Constitutional package has nothing to do with his reinstatement. The package is being introduced to clip the powers of President Pervez Musharraf and whosoever will hinder immediate restoration of deposed judges, his graph will come down among the masses", he added.

Referring to the alleged tapes with regard to hindering Sharif brothers' way to take part in the forthcoming bye-elections, Aitzaz demanded that Chief Justice of Pakistan, Abdul Hamid Dogar should resign.

"These tapes are surely correct. Earlier Attorney General Malik Qayyum was also caught in connection with similar tapes", he added.

Barrister Aitzaz said he would take those tapes to courts or Supreme Judicial Council. "I challenge Justice Abdul Hamid Dogar to come and prove these tapes false in the courts", he added. Aitzaz also held that Dogar-Musharraf minus-two formula could be acceptable.