The deposed Chief Justice, Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, on Monday said he would unveil some startling facts on November 3--the day he was sacked from his office. Addressing the executive committee of Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), he nullified the claims of following constitution, by the rulers, saying that it was held in abeyance.
"The constitution cannot be enforced until Parliament comes out clear whether the steps taken on November 3 were constitutional or unconstitutional." He said that the former President had sacked and put him under house arrest to avert any contempt decision against the regime in Nawaz Sharif's deportation case, hearing for which was fixed for November 8, 2007.
"I am the host, and you are my guests', he told the lawyers. He said that their struggle was for establishment of the rule of law, "and no one can stop us from attaining our goal". Aitzaz Ahsan, President of SCBA, lauded the commitment shown by the legal fraternity for the reinstatement of deposed judges, and encouraged them for continuation of the struggle.
He said that Musharraf was forced to doff the uniform, the 'exiled' political leaders got an opportunity to come back to the country. In addition, Murree Declaration was also the outcome of lawyers' movement. 'Go Musharraf go' was the slogan of lawyers, and people of Pakistan acted upon it on February 18 by voting against his party.
He censured the administration for barring them to reach Supreme Court building. "We had invited Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry for a group photo with office-bearers of the association at the end of their tenure, but Chief Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar has not only locked the office of the association but has also sealed the SC building as well." The group photo ceremony was not held last year as Aitzaz Ahsan was put in house arrest after his elevation to president of SCBA.