May 27, 2007
'Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely,' Chaudhry Reminds Musharraf
Islamabad
Pakistan's suspended Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry has a
message for President General Pervez Musharraf: "Absolute power
corrupts absolutely".
Launching a veiled attack on Musharraf Saturday evening from his
home turf - he was addressing a seminar in the auditorium of the
Supreme Court, he said that people's desire for an independent
judiciary could not be suppressed.
The stage for the swipe at Musharraf was set by the subject of the
seminar: "Separation of Power and Independence of Judiciary."
"The courts must be independent," Justice Chaudhry said in his
10-minute address that was covered 'live' by private television Geo.
"Courts should remain free from the pressure of the executive."
He was speaking publicly in the apex court for the first time since
Musharraf suspended him on March 9 accusing him of misusing his
office to promote his son.
"Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely," Justice
Chaudhry said.
Pakistan has since witnessed a nationwide agitation joined in by
lawyers, the media and the opposition parties waiting to take on
Musharraf in a year when he has promised general elections.
As Chaudhry arrived at the Supreme Court, over 8,000 lawyers
welcomed him with anti-Musharraf slogans, Daily Times reported
Sunday.
Thousands of torch-bearing lawyers, opposition activists and civil
society representatives accorded Chaudhry "a rousing welcome", said
The News.
Chaudhry said judicial independence was central to ensuring a
society based on justice, equality, liberty, protection of human
rights and constitutional rule. He said an independent judiciary "is
a strong bulwark against abuse of power and tyrannical rule".
Chaudhry said it was a difficult task to accomplish, adding that he
was "thankful for the cooperation that I received from my brother
judges and members of the bar".
A string of speakers at the seminar bitterly condemned the military
rule and said Justice Chaudhry's principled stand heralded a new era
based on supremacy of the constitution and law.
They paid tribute to him for refusing to step down despite intense
pressure allegedly exerted by General Musharraf and his junta.
"The bloodshed in Karachi will not go to waste. Revolution will
come," several people in the crowd shouted, punching the air with
their fists. "Go, Musharraf, go," chanted others.
Opposition leaders held their own gathering outside the Supreme
Court.
Khawaja Asif, an opposition leader from exiled former prime minister
Nawaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-N, told reporters that
Musharraf was "like a falling wall" and that the entire nation wants
Chaudhry restored to his position.
Pakistan People's Party secretary-general Raja Pervez Ashraf said
that all political parties were united for freedom of judiciary and
they want democracy in the country.
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