The News : Deposed CJ hits out at police action

Deposed CJ hits out at police action

By Our correspondent | Islamabad | December 18, 2007

Deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry has termed the police torture on peaceful protesters as ‘barbaric act’ of the government and reiterated his unflinching support to media, lawyers and civil society.

In a statement, Justice Chaudhry wondered on the government decision to make heavy deployment of police for excesses on law abiding citizens and to keep judges under arrest whereas internationally wanted men were escaping from police custody.

He made this statement in clear reference to the escape of high profile alleged terrorist Rashid Rauf, from Rawalpindi district court’s premises. He said the police atrocities could not demoralize the brave nation battling against the authoritarian regime. Justice Chaudhry said he would stand with these people and reiterated his resolve to continue struggle for the supremacy of rule of law and restoration of the Constitution of Pakistan.

“We will fight till the last breath for supremacy of un-tampered constitution of 1973 and rule of law,” he said. Torturing peaceful demonstrators is a barbaric act committed by police and other agencies, he said. Peaceful protest is right of every citizen of Pakistan as freedom of expression is enshrined under 1973 Constitution, he said.

Look at the state of condition within a week, a blast in Quetta, Nowshera and Kohat but the police and agencies are deputed to arrest women, torture students, lawyers and media men protesting for the rule of law, he said. It is highly deplorable act of government, which exposes its weakness and nervousness.