Spring Break
Chief Justice of Pakistan visits Drexel
Naomi Parikh
Issue date: 11/21/08 Section: News
Chaudhry spoke of his visit to the United States as well as his experience in Pakistan. He said the Harvard Medal of Freedom awarded to him was for all the people in Pakistan "who are fighting for freedom," and that he was "touched" by the welcome he received from the American people.
"I represent the countless Pakistanis who stood beside the lawyers and fought for democracy," Chaudhry said. "I represent the brave media and lawyers who risked and sacrificed their lives for what they stood for."
Chaudhry said he did "what any independent judge would do." He also said the courts were made up of honest judges who practiced objectively and fairly. The Supreme Court, he said, resolves conflicts within the government as well as the people and serves as a "guardian" of the Constitution.
He then spoke about his suspension and house arrest.
"In March, without a legal constitution, I was suspended and accused of many things," Chaudhry said. "In July, I was restored by a full bench of the Supreme Court. The court also accused the government of false charges."
According to Chaudhry, President Musharraf suspended the Constitution in November by declaring a state of emergency. A bench, lead by Chaudhry, found the declaration invalid and tried to investigate it further. At this point, however, Chaudhry and several other judges were put under house arrest.
"For five months, my family and I were detained in our house," Chaudhry said.
Chaudhry also spoke about the march to Islamabad that took place soon after his suspension from the Supreme Court, calling it "an amazing show of solidarity."
"It was the first time in our history that all the people marched and peacefully gathered," Chaudhry said. "This will go down in history as the moment that ensured the support of the Constitution, the independence of the judiciary, and the rule of law."
Chaudhry said he hoped people understood the gravity and long-term effects of the situation in Pakistan.
"I represent the countless Pakistanis who stood beside the lawyers and fought for democracy," Chaudhry said. "I represent the brave media and lawyers who risked and sacrificed their lives for what they stood for."
Chaudhry said he did "what any independent judge would do." He also said the courts were made up of honest judges who practiced objectively and fairly. The Supreme Court, he said, resolves conflicts within the government as well as the people and serves as a "guardian" of the Constitution.
He then spoke about his suspension and house arrest.
"In March, without a legal constitution, I was suspended and accused of many things," Chaudhry said. "In July, I was restored by a full bench of the Supreme Court. The court also accused the government of false charges."
According to Chaudhry, President Musharraf suspended the Constitution in November by declaring a state of emergency. A bench, lead by Chaudhry, found the declaration invalid and tried to investigate it further. At this point, however, Chaudhry and several other judges were put under house arrest.
"For five months, my family and I were detained in our house," Chaudhry said.
Chaudhry also spoke about the march to Islamabad that took place soon after his suspension from the Supreme Court, calling it "an amazing show of solidarity."
"It was the first time in our history that all the people marched and peacefully gathered," Chaudhry said. "This will go down in history as the moment that ensured the support of the Constitution, the independence of the judiciary, and the rule of law."
Chaudhry said he hoped people understood the gravity and long-term effects of the situation in Pakistan.
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