Keep seeking rule of law, says sacked Pak CJ

Pakistan's deposed Supreme Court Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry has advised lawyers, civil society and the people to continue their struggle for the supremacy of the Constitution and the rule of law.

Expressing concern at police action against protestors who tried to march to his residence here yesterday, a defiant Chaudhry said in a message that these 'atrocities' will never demoralise the people.

"It is a barbaric act committed by police and other agencies by torturing peaceful demonstrators. Peaceful protest is the right of every citizen of Pakistan as freedom of expression is enshrined under the 1973 Constitution," said Chaudhry, who continues to be under house arrest despite the lifting of emergency three days ago.

Nearly 30 people, including journalists, were injured as riot police clashed on Monday with hundreds of lawyers, civil society activists and students who tried to march to Chaudhry's official residence in the high-security Judges Colony in Islamabad.

The deposed judge, who was recently named 'Lawyer of the Year' by US publication National Law Journal, said police were being sent to arrest protestors at a time when suicide attacks were being carried out in different parts of Pakistan.

"Look at the state of condition, within a week, a blast in Quetta, Nowshera and Kohat, but the police and (intelligence) agencies are deputed to arrest women, torture students, lawyers and media persons protesting for the rule of law," Chaudhry said.

This is a 'highly deplorable and barbaric act of the government' that 'exposed its weakness and nervousness.'