Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry restored as Chief Justice of Pakistan

Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani early Monday morning announced reinstatement of the deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry and other judges.

“I restore the deposed chief justice and others according to the promise made by me and the President,” Gilani said in a televised address to the nation.

The announcement, in light of the directive of President Asif Ali Zardari, met the main demand of the political parties and the lawyers’ community.

He said, “A notification to this effect is being issued now.” He said Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry would replace Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar, who retires on March 21.

Gilani said and pledged to “continue the politics of reconciliation.” The deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry was removed from service by former President Pervez Musharraf on March 9, 2007, sparking a wave of protest that led to his resignation from his office on August 18, 2008.

The prime minister also announced reinstatement of other judges of the Supreme Court and said the number of judges for the apex court has already been increased through legislation to accommodate the reinstated judges.

The prime minister also announced that the federal government would file a review petition in the Supreme Court seeking reversal of the order of disqualification of Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif, and addressing all issues in light of the Charter of Democracy.

“I invite them to move forward along with all political forces for the implementation of the Charter of Democracy,” Gilani said.

He asked the provincial governments to lift the Section 144 immediately and release the arrested persons. He said the PPP had made a lot of contribution to the lawyers’ movement and rendered numerous sacrifices. He said shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto had pledged to reinstate the deposed Chief Justice.

Gilani said President Asif Ali Zardari also pledged to do the same.

Gilani recalled that soon after securing a heavy mandate from the parliament he had announced the release of the detained judges and also restoration of their emoluments.

The prime minister said the decision was taken in consultation with the allies.

Gilani also greeted Chairman of Pakistan People’s Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, lawyers, political workers, and civil society on this auspicious occasion and asked them to celebrate the occasion in a befitting manner

Bourses boom on CJ Chaudhry Iftikhar’s restoration

Stock markets in the country also went boom, boom, following the wave of jubilations and the brightening possibility of a new era of peace and prosperity on the historical decision of the government leading to the restoration of all deposed judges.

The bourses at the very onset shedding all fears and apprehensions went upbeat, as the traders hailing the government decision leading to the restoration of judges went on jolly good trading, which sent the largest sock market in the country KSE in positive zone, while the KSE-100 index was seen persistently recoding gains, which saw it at one moment surging by over 300 points and breaching the 6000 psychological barriers.
KSE all registered companies’ shares prices recording an increase by 5 percent.

On the other hand, Lahore and Islamabad stock exchanges hilariously welcoming the restoration of chief justice went on trading with positive mind, which saw the indexes soaring up and up.

Judges restoration brings peace in the country: Justice Sharifaja Ashraf

Justice Khawaja Sharif in a chat with Geo News said decision of restoration of judges will bring peace and prosperity in the country.

Large number of people held celebrations outside the residence of Justice Sharif after the announcement of restoration of judges.

People’s sacrifices borne the fruits: Shahbaz Sharif

Muslim League-N leader, Mian Shahbaz Sharif said that the sacrifices of the people have borne the fruits, as the judiciary’s sun has dawned, for which, the entire lawyers community across the country deserves compliments.

Talking to media at the airport here, Mian Shahbaz Sharif said that all the lawyers across the country and all political workers who participated in this movement deserve compliments, as by the grace of God all the demands of the nation have been fulfilled.

Shahbaz Sharif said that President Zardari at the outset didn’t listen, “But if the one missing in the morning comes back home in the evening, then he isn’t called missing,” he remarked. He said that the people were happy on the restoration of judiciary, the sun of justice has dawned today and national aspirations would be fulfilled. He vowed not wasting this defining moment of history.

When quizzed on Governor’s rule, Shabaz Sharif said, “Our aim was to get the judiciary restored, Nawaz and he doesn’t want anything.” He said that matters relating to Governor’s rule and disqualification would also be soon resolved.

Holbrooke hopes Justice Iftikhar restoration ends confrontation

US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke has welcomed the decision of restoration of Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry and expressed hope that it will end the confrontation in the country.

Talking to Pakistani ambassador to US Hussain Haqqani, Holbrooke said it is a wise decision of President Asif Zardari. It will help to defuse the tension.

Earlier, Haqqani had informed Richard Holbrooke about president’s decision.