Pakistan's top judge, suspended by President Pervez Musharraf, told thousands of supporters on Saturday that the country's people back the struggle for the independence of the judiciary.
Chief Justice Ikfitkhar Muhammad Chaudhry led a procession from Islamabad to the northwestern city of Abbottabad, greeted by roadside protesters chanting "Go Musharraf, go."
He told the crowd of around 25,000 lawyers and opposition activists in the conservative hill resort that the legal community was not alone.
"The people of Pakistan are with you. In the eyes of the law all citizens are equals," he said to his supporters after the 100km journey.
"It is the basic responsibility of the courts to protect the fundamental rights of the people, especially the higher judiciary," he said. "The courts have rejected human rights violations in the past."
Musharraf suspended Chaudhry on allegations of misconduct on March 9, sparking violent protests in the southern city of Karachi that left more than 40 people dead. Musharraf is facing the greatest crisis of his eight-year rule.
Critics say Musharraf acted to ensure a pliant judiciary if, as expected, he tries to remain as army chief past the end of this year, when the Constitution says he must quit.
Pakistan's fractious opposition movement has united around Chaudhry's cause in a campaign calling for a return to full democracy and an end to military rule.
Witnesses said some 5,000 opposition workers and lawyers greeted Chaudhry at the ancient town of Taxila on his route to Abbottabad.
Another 15,000 welcomed the judge at the town of Haripur, they said, adding the boisterous crowds waved flags and chanted slogans condemning Musharraf and the military's involvement in politics.
"We are fighting for the independence of the judiciary and we have the support of the people of Pakistan," Chaudhry's lawyer, Aitzaz Ahsan, told the crowd in Haripur.
The motorcade took 11 hours to reach its destination. It is usually a two-hour journey from Islamabad.
People stood on rooftops around the venue where Chaudhry was to address lawyers in Abbottabad, witnesses said. As the procession entered the venue the crowd burst into sustained applause, raising anti-Musharraf slogans.
The procession came a day after Pakistan's top army commanders reaffirmed their full support for Musharraf in the face of what they called attempts by a minority to "derail the nation from the path of progress."
Chaudhry's previous rallies were televised live by private domestic television channels, but none broadcast the motorcade after warnings from the government.
Karachi-based Aaj TV, said it had been told not to cover the procession.
"We have received a notice from the Pakistan Electronic and Media Regulatory Authority that we cannot show live coverage from any place other than what is specified in our licence," said Talat Hussain, the station's news director.
EUROPEAN FUTURE? Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama says only he could secure EU membership, but challenges remain in dealing with corruption and a brain drain Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama seeks to win an unprecedented fourth term, pledging to finally take the country into the EU and turn it into a hot tourist destination with some help from the Trump family. The artist-turned-politician has been pitching Albania as a trendy coastal destination, which has helped to drive up tourism arrivals to a record 11 million last year. US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, also joined in the rush, pledging to invest US$1.4 billion to turn a largely deserted island into a luxurious getaway. Rama is expected to win another term after yesterday’s vote. The vote would
FRAUD ALLEGED: The leader of an opposition alliance made allegations of electoral irregularities and called for a protest in Tirana as European leaders are to meet Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama’s Socialist Party scored a large victory in parliamentary elections, securing him his fourth term, official results showed late on Tuesday. The Socialist Party won 52.1 percent of the vote on Sunday compared with 34.2 percent for an alliance of opposition parties led by his main rival Sali Berisha, according to results released by the Albanian Central Election Commission. Diaspora votes have yet to be counted, but according to initial results, Rama was also leading there. According to projections, the Socialist Party could have more lawmakers than in 2021 elections. At the time, it won 74 seats in the
CANCER: Jose Mujica earned the moniker ‘world’s poorest president’ for giving away much of his salary and living a simple life on his farm, with his wife and dog Tributes poured in on Tuesday from across Latin America following the death of former Uruguayan president Jose “Pepe” Mujica, an ex-guerrilla fighter revered by the left for his humility and progressive politics. He was 89. Mujica, who spent a dozen years behind bars for revolutionary activity, lost his battle against cancer after announcing in January that the disease had spread and he would stop treatment. “With deep sorrow, we announce the passing of our comrade Pepe Mujica. President, activist, guide and leader. We will miss you greatly, old friend,” Uruguayan President Yamandu Orsi wrote on X. “Pepe, eternal,” a cyclist shouted out minutes later,
Myanmar’s junta chief met Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) for the first time since seizing power, state media reported yesterday, the highest-level meeting with a key ally for the internationally sanctioned military leader. Senior General Min Aung Hlaing led a military coup in 2021, overthrowing Myanmar’s brief experiment with democracy and plunging the nation into civil war. In the four years since, his armed forces have battled dozens of ethnic armed groups and rebel militias — some with close links to China — opposed to its rule. The conflict has seen Min Aung Hlaing draw condemnation from rights groups and pursued by the
RSS