Terming the apex court decision, banning intelligence personnel from courts and directions to agencies for removing bugs from courts and judges residences as timely and appropriate, the former Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Saeed uz Zaman Siddiqui, has said that agencies have no role in this regard.
He stated this while addressing the launching ceremony of a book titled "Takhtadar Key Saye Taly" written by jailed Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) acting President Makhdoom Javed Hashmi at Lahore Press Club (LPC) on Tuesday.
The function was arranged by Minni Bhai an activist and office bearer of PML-N Houston. Among others, Irshad Ahmad Arif, Mujeeb ur Rehman Shami, Dr Saeed Elahi, Atta ul Haq Qasmi, Nasir Zaidi, Dr Khawaja Mohammad Zikriya and Maimoona Hashmi MNA also spoke on the occasion.
Justice Saeed uz Zaman Siddiqui maintained that lawyers movement remained gaining strength with every passing day which was infusing a hope among the people that there would be rule of law and supremacy of constitution in the country.
Talking about reference against Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Justice Saeed uz Zaman Siddiqui averred that a 13-member full court bench of Supreme Court was hearing the matter and would give its verdict soon. However, he stated that lawyers struggle was unparalleled which would ensure independence of judiciary and rule of law in the country. He was of the view that lawyers had decided to continue their movement till restoration of true democracy in the country.
Justice Saeed uz Zaman Siddiqui further said that recent decisions of the government was creating apprehensions among the public with regard to pressure on judiciary. 'There are some circles who are frightened due to lawyers struggle while some are optimistic. Only time will tell what will be logical end of lawyers struggle', he said. Other speakers praised Makhdoom Javed Hashmi for raising voice for rule of law as well writing a book.