Pakistan Reinstates Chief Justice

2009-03-17 13:18:19 Bridging the Straits

Pakistan's Prime Minister has confirmed that sacked Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry will be reinstated within the month.

The decision fulfilled the major demand of a protest movement that has rocked the government.
Yousuf Raza Gilani made the announcement in a dawn address to the nation.

"I announce here according to promises made by me and the president of Pakistan the reinstatement of all deposed judges, including Iftikhar Chaudhry, back to their jobs. On the retirement of current Chief Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar on 21 March, Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry will take office of the Chief Justice of Pakistan."

Gilani also ordered all lawyers and political activists arrested over the past week to be freed immediately.

Chaudhry was fired by then President Pervez Musharraf in November 2007. He was trying to challenge Musharraf's suspension of the constitution and imposition of a state of emergency.

Opposition leaders and lawyers had earlier vowed to sit-in at the parliament later on Monday until Chaudhry was reinstated.

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