The judge was deposed two years ago by then-president Pervez Musharraf. Lawyers and civil activists, with recent backing of various political parties, including the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), have fought for the past two years for Chaudhry’s reinstatement and the rule of law in Pakistan.
“I have been involved with the lawyers’ movement from day one. I think this shows that there is hope for Pakistan and for all Third World countries.
People are waking up and realize that the rule of law is the solution. This is history in the making,” said lawyer Hassan Akhtar.
On the morning of March 16, hours before a large-scale protest caravan led by the lawyers’ movement was expected to arrive in Islamabad, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani announced that the chief justice would be reinstated on March 21.
“The chief justice was deposed for no legal reasons. When I saw so many people involved in the long march, I felt I must come out as well and support this. I am very happy today,” said district and sessions judge Qazi Waqar Hussain.
Throughout the day, a few thousand people went up to the justice’s house. The crowds were upbeat and hopeful. Many people were chanting, “Long live the chief justice.”
“I think this is a very positive first step to achieving what we want. I would like to send a message to the leaders that when people stand up they have power to change things.
This is also a lesson for all the citizens of Pakistan,” said a non-governmental agency worker, Arfa Mazhar.
Aysha Haq contributed to this report.
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