Former Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry has urged the nation to fight against President General Pervez Musharraf and rebuff his weekend proclamation of emergency rule. The call came on Tuesday as pro-democracy protesters fought running battles with police and law enforcing agencies across the country.
Hundreds more were arrested on the fourth day of crackdown on die-hard anti-Musharraf politicians, lawyers and rights activists demonstrating on streets against suspension of the constitution. "Time for sacrifices has come...masses and lawyers should rise (against Musharraf)," said Iftikhar, who was removed from the chief justice slot.
Independent analysts say Musharraf pre-empted a Supreme Court verdict to declare his re-election unconstitutional. In a telephonic address to lawyers in Islamabad, Iftikhar criticised Musharraf for imposing the state of emergency.
He said the constitution had been torn apart by General Musharraf. He told lawyers on Tuesday: "The Supreme Court followed the constitution and the law in making all its decisions. The President's accusations are baseless. "The constitution has been ripped to shreds. The lawyers should convey my message to the people to rise up and restore the constitution.
"This is time for sacrifices. I am under arrest now, but soon I will also join you in your struggle." He urged lawyers to motivate masses for launching struggle against the military rule and for the return of the constitutional rule. Former Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry urged the people to stand against dictatorship and for the supremacy of the constitution.
Charged up lawyers burst into chants like 'Go Musharraf, go,' and 'No to military rule' as Iftikhar ended speech from his official residence in Islamabad besieged by paramilitary Rangers.
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