President Asif Zardari reinstates Justice Iftikhar as Chief Justice of Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has endorsed the reinstatement of Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry as Chief Justice of Pakistan, the spokesman of Aiwan-e-Sadr said on Tuesday.

The spokesman said the restored judges include judges of the Supreme Court of Pakistan and High Courts. The Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry will assume charge on March 22.

The formal notification regarding the reinstatement of the deposed judges of the superior judiciary, including Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, is likely to be issued today (Tuesday).

Pakistani People’s power restores Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry

ISLAMABAD: 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.

'Collective efforts' paved way for Musharraf’s exit: Nawaz Sharif

RAIWIND: Pakistan Muslim League-N Quaid Mian Nawaz Sharif said on Friday that his party forced former President Pervez Musharraf to step down and the PPP or President Asif Ali Zardari did not do it all alone.

In an exclusive interview with Geo news senior correspondent Hamid Mir, Nawaz termed the NRO a big obstacle in the country’s progress and judicial independence. The PML-N chief said he has great respect for an independent judiciary but would not support the biased judiciary.

Nawaz said the nation holds deposed Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry in high esteem. He expressed hope that the long march would be successful despite a massive crackdown by the government.

Nawaz said the country is passing through hard times and he was struggling for a greater cause.

Nawaz Sharif says :Pakistan going through its worst crisis ever

ABBOTTABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-N Quaid Mian Nawaz Sharif has asked the nation to get ready for offering sacrifices for a revolution in the country.

Addressing a charged rally here on Wednesday, Nawaz said time had come that the people should come on streets to change their destiny. He asked the people to take part in the long march of lawyers, if they wanted to change their fate.

Nawaz said President Asif Ali Zardari has again introduced the politics of horse-trading in the country. He lauded the efforts of Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, Sardar Mehtab Khan and Pir Sabir Shah for the restoration of deposed judges and supremacy of constitution.

"Today is a defining moment in Pakistan's history. We can change the destiny of this country. Pakistan stands at a crossroads today and it is your duty to save it," Nawaz said.

"We want to change this outdated system because it poses a danger to our existence and they want to charge me for sedition," he told the rally of thousands of supporters, who cheered and waved party banners.

The PML-N Quaid said the people were facing a grim situation, because they had not learnt to rise up against the system. He said the PML-N would not go nation’s sacrifices unnoticed. He said the society was facing unrest, turmoil and anxiety because of the wrong and inconsistent policies of the previous and incumbent governments.

KANUPP restores power supply to KESC

KARACHI: The Karachi Nuclear Power Plant (KANUPP) has restored electricity supply to KESC on Monday. KANUPP was shut down on January 24, 2009 for routine maintenance work. Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission Spokesman Tariq Rashid said that KANUPP was started and synchronised with the KESC grid at 8:50 am on Monday.

Pervez Musharraf for reconciliatory politics in country

KARACHI: Former president Pervez Musharraf Monday said that there should be politics of reconciliation in the country which is passing through a critical juncture.

He was addressing a press conference held immediately after his arrival at Karachi airport from India.

Pervez Musharraf said Sharif brothers are themselves responsible for whatever is happening with them.

Commenting on dealing with terrorist elements in the country, he said Pakistan must use iron clad hand to crush terrorists.

The former president extremist elements exist in our society but he ruled out success in war on terror only through use of force.

He expressed satisfaction to the kind of security being provided to him in Pakistan and added that he knows how to take care of himself.

Pervez Musharraf said he went to India as a common citizen for delivering lecture where he was provided security protocol of a former president. This kind of visits help remove misunderstandings, he added.

The scholars with whom I interacted during the visit questioned me with an open mind and also listened attentively to what I had to say.

He said he felt that India has more misperceptions.

Pervez Musharraf said good progress was being made on Kashmir issue during his regime.

Pir Sahib Pagara sees ‘revolution’ coming

KARACHI: Chief of Pakistan Muslim League (Functional) Pir Pagara Saturday said a ‘revolution’ is on its way to the country.

Talking to newsmen here at Kingri House, he said just like Chaudhry brothers the political future of Sharif brothers is also bleak.

“If people would say wrong things and commit wrong deeds, it automatically paves way for a marshal law,” Pir Pagara predicted.

He observed that the lawyers’ work is to fight cases and not to hold long marches.