Law Society celebrates restoration of Chief Justice and senior judiciary in Pakistan
Date Published: 27-03-2009
27 March 2009
Law Society celebrates restoration of Chief Justice and senior judiciary in Pakistan
The Law Society has expressed its delight and satisfaction at the restoration of Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry and other senior judges to their posts in Pakistan.
President Paul Marsh said, "Solicitors in England and Wales have wholeheartedly supported the lawyers' movement in Pakistan since 2007 when the Chief Justice was deposed by General Musharraf. We have been proud to stand with them as they fought fearlessly for an independent judiciary in their country. This is indeed a proud moment for the legal fraternity."
Law Society Council member Razi Shah was in Pakistan when the lawyers began their most recent march to demand the Chief Justice's restoration. Mr. Shah carried a letter of support from the Law Society President . Mr Shah joined thousands of lawyers at the protest in Lahore, which became the turning point of the march. As people flooded into the streets, the police began to refuse to carry out the orders they had been given. Later that day Prime Minister Syed Yousef Raza Gilliani announced that the Chief Justice and other senior judges would be restored to their posts.
Mr Shah said, "It was a tremendous experience to be part of history. The lawyers of Pakistan have shown what can be done when principles combine with people power. Despite the clashes and the tear gas, the day had an almost festive atmosphere. Lawyers, many of whom had sacrificed months of income, had brought their young children to the demonstrations to be part of history. Ordinary people were determined to show their support for the rule of law."
Mr. Shah met with senior leaders of the Supreme Court Bar Association of Pakistan, the chief body representing lawyers, to deliver the Law Society's message of support.
"The leaders of the lawyers' movement were extremely grateful for the support from the legal community in England and Wales. It gave them a terrific boost," Mr. Shah said.
The Supreme Court Bar Association had written to the Law Society in February asking for its support. The Law Society Council passed a resolution on March 11, in advance of the planned march. The Council stated, "We stand in solidarity with the lawyers’ movement of Pakistan in calling for a restoration of the judiciary as essential to the renewal of the rule of law in Pakistan".
Audio clip - To listen to an audio clip of Razi's account of the march click on the green headphone icon at the top of the page.
Ends
Notes to editors
The Chief Justice and many other Pakistani senior judges were deposed during the state of emergency declared by General Musharraf in November of 2007. The democratically elected government of Asif Ali Zadari, which took power in September, had promised to restore the dismissed judicary, but did not do so until last Monday after countrywide demonstrations led by lawyers' organizations threatened to march on Islamabad.
For further information, interview requests with Razi Shah and a transcript of the Law Society council resolution please call the Law Society press office on 0207 320 5902
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