New Protests Planned in Pakistan Over Appellate Judges' Ouster in 2007
About half of the approximately 60 appellate judges removed from office in Pakistan more than a year ago by former President Pervez Musharraf have been restored to the bench.
Among those who have not: the former chief justice of the country’s supreme court, Iftikhar Chaudhry. And, in a reprise of previous efforts that helped restore the rule of law and force Musharraf from office, lawyers and others are planning national protests on March 9, according to Bloomberg.
The date is the second anniversary of when Musharraf initially removed Iftikhar Chaudhry from office.
This highly controversial act sparked a series of protests that made the former chief justice a national hero. They also eventually put a coalition government in power, in place of a military ruler who, in November of 2007, imposed what many considered martial law, as discussed in earlier ABAJournal.com posts.
Earlier coverage:
News International: “I am still the chief justice: Iftikhar”
ABAJournal.com: “Police Beat Pakistan Lawyers in Clash Over Ousted Appellate Judges”
ABAJournal.com: “Lawyer-Led Protests Prevail in Pakistan: Musharraf is Expected to Step Down”
Los Angeles Times (opinion): “Pakistan needs an effective legal system”
ABAJournal.com: “Pakistan Lawyers’ ‘Long March’ Seeks Return of Appellate Judges to Bench”
