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RAWALPINDI: Deposed chief
justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry has said that November
3, 2007 was an important day in the country's history.
Addressing the Lawyers' Convention here on Monday, deposed
chief justice said that lawyers and civil society had launched
a movement for supremacy of law and constitution on March
9, 2007, adding Almighty gave success to the movement.
Justice Chaudhry termed the November 3, 2007 action as a Martial
Law in the country. He noted there was a difference in November
3 and previous Martial Laws. No Assembly has endorsed the
martial law enforced on November 3, he added.
"I am confident that present assembly will not endorse
this martial law," said deposed chief justice, adding
government, opposition, lawyers, politicians and other section
of the society have now realised that supremacy of law and
constitution is must for the country.
He further said that it was very unfortunate that democratic
governments could rule the country for 24 years only. Judiciary
was also responsible for backing the dictatorship in the country,
he said.
He revealed that former premier Shaukat Aziz had conveyed
to him about former president Pervez Musharraf's anger on
verdict given in Steel Mills case. The deposed chief justice
said that he had replied that verdicts would be given according
to the law and constitution only.
He said that media highlighted the verdict of Pakistan Steel
Mills in a positive manner due to which the credibility of
Supreme Court was restored. "Whatever happened to me
in the Army House is nothing new for people," he said.
Justice Chaudhry said that Supreme Court gave its verdict
on July 20, 2007 after which all government's hopes attached
to the top court faded away. "I was conveyed through
some friends that rulers wanted to restore good ties with
me," he said, adding I was also told that Musharraf wanted
to meet me, but I turned down his request several times.
Deposed chief justice further said Musharraf made several
attempts to meet me that continued from July 20 to November
3, 2007. During this period, he said, four important cases
were admitted to the Supreme Court including return of exiled
leaders, voters' lists case filed by slain PPP leader Benazir
Bhutto, president's case and fourth case was about his uniform.
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