Association of Pakistani Lawyers a team of Pakistani origin lawyers, Solicitors, Barristers, Judges in UK jointly welcomed the decision of Chief Executive Yousaf Raza Gillani early in the morning of 16 March 2009 to restore the remaining judges who were sacked by Gen. Musharraf on 3 November 2007 including  the Chief justice of Pakistan Mr. Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chowdhary. APL welcomed PM’s decision to seek review of the decision of Supreme Court of 25 February 2009 where popular leadership was barred from contesting elections and observed that respecting the mandate is the key to promote tolerance in the state. APL declared that this is the victory of the whole  nation which is alive and conscious of the situation it is in, and the whole nation including political workers, civil society, media, lawyers, and lay men, women, and children deserve to be applauded for their forbearance and free expression of their will by participating in the long march. APL also congratulated Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif for his bravery and defiance on principle, steadfast lawyer leadership, and uninitiated media and civil society with thousands of unnamed supporting characters  which brought fruit on the day of long march.

APL noted, that Govt of the day deserve to be appreciated for listening and meeting their demands, respecting the will of the people as Lawyers and civil society was on March since 9 March 2007.  This is the time when Pakistani people have a chance to regroup and make this country a mirror image of the aspirations of millions who decided to join this new land at the time of independence in 1947 in a dream come true style by sacrificing nearly 4 million souls.  Nation was jubilant in May 1998 after becoming an atomic power and now the nation is overjoyed after seeking victory on a principled point of restoration of Chief Justice who defied a military dictator and for the assurance that justice will be met at the door steps of a common man.

APL asserted that implementation of  ‘Charter of Democracy’ and free judiciary are they key ingredients  to restore true democracy in Pakistan and only this  can restrict military intervention(s) and nip the ‘law of necessity’ in the bud. APL maintained their view of 20 July 2007 that one judge does not secure independence of judiciary but is a first step towards right direction, and the whole institution needs to be revamped and If these dreams are to be translated in reality then spade work by Supreme Court Bar Association must start now to give a road map on crucial topics such as appointment of judges via non political and unbiased commission, non controversial non political future lawyers who in the end become judges, politics free bar, training of lawyers and judges, accountability of top judiciary, financial autonomy of top judiciary, protection of judges, and separation of administration from judiciary coupled with safe guards to prevent  judiciary turning into another military style unbridled power which parallels the executive . These are the questions which needs to be addressed by Lawyer representatives so that Parliament could do positive legislation in days to come.

 APL confirms that suspension basic human rights is against the law of the land and international law and APL endorses and encourages freedom of expression, tolerance as enshrined in Pakistan’s 1973 Constitution and considers the right of people of free speech as inalienable and we welcome the responsible role of sensibles of PPP including Sherry Rehman , Minister of Information who resigned at the time when curbs against Pakistani media were directed.APL feels that those responsible for adverse administrative measures on law and order and imposition of Governor rule denying the mandate must be held accountable to Parliament if not to their respective parties.

In the current geo political situation in the country option of reconciliation with the people of Pakistan is the best route possible to curb radicalization and invasion of extremism and as current situation desires all heads of constitutional tracheotomy to observe extreme patience and wisdom and be visionary to avoid conflicts which have serious repercussions for the state of Pakistan, and implement ‘charter of democracy’ in its letter and spirit.

APL further condemns the deteriorating law and order situation in Pakistan and arrests of lawyers and suppressing media. The government of the day must show political will to promote tolerance in order to bear the voice of the opposition, media critique, and views of the civil society as they claim to respect  in their ‘manifesto’ .

APL asserts that this is the victory of the whole nation and defeat of the mind set which derails political process in Pakistan and the whole nation must celebrate it and we congratulate once again the Lawyers, media and Civil society’s contribution which inaugurated the principle of rule of law , justice and military free democracy in Pakistan.  

Well done Pakistan, and Well done the people of Pakistan.  

Amjad Malik, MA, LLM

Solicitor-Advocate of the Supreme Court of England and Wales
Life Member SCBA (Pakistan)
Chair Association of Pakistani Lawyers (UK)

00 44 1706 346 011 &  personal email at: APLRochdale@aol.com

Mobile: 00 44 7770983308

16  March 2009

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