Spring Break
Chief Justice of Pakistan visits Drexel
Naomi Parikh
Issue date: 11/21/08 Section: News
|
In March 2007, President Musharraf suspended Chaudhry and later in November, declared a state of emergency in Pakistan and placed Chaudhry under house arrest for several months before his release in May 2008.
Chaudhry first appeared at a reception at the Earle Mack School of Law with a delegation, where Dean Roger Dennis spoke and said Drexel was "honored" to have him.
"It is an inspiring and amazing thing for all the lawyers of the world that Pakistan has a Chief Justice so committed to the rule of law and to fighting corruption in government," Dennis said.
Talia Offord, a second year law student, attended the reception to see Chaudhry and hear his story.
"I think civil rights anywhere is important, and to meet someone who has been through it all is really great," Offord said.
Anil Kalhan, an associate professor at the School of Law, has covered the crisis in Pakistan for AsiaMedia News Daily as well as on the legal blog Dorf on Law. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the South Asian Bar Association of New York.
Kalhan introduced Chaudhry at the forum at the University of Pennsylvania.
"The Chief Justice is a genuine hero who has inspired lawyers all over the world," Kalhan said. "His suspension triggered an unprecedented movement of lawyers in Pakistan, who were inspired by the Chief Justice's example to stand up for the rule of law in Pakistan and protest against Musharraf's regime."
Kalhan said that the New York City Bar Association wanted to honor the Chief Justice with an Honorary Membership. However, Chaudhry was put under house arrest before any plans for a trip to the United States could be made.
"For over a year, we've been talking about bringing the Chief Justice to the United States, and I'm glad to say that he's finally here," Kalhan said. "As lawyers, we don't often get to recognize, honor, and hear from genuine heroes within our profession, but Chief Justice Chaudhry is a true hero who has stood up for the independence of the judiciary in Pakistan."
Be the first to comment on this story