Justice Dogar legitimate CJ, says Naek
By Saad Saud

ISLAMABAD—Federal Law Minister Farooq H. Naek has said that Justice Abdul Hammed Dogar is real Chief Justice of Pakistan and everyone should admit to this fact. While talking to media men outside the National Assembly, the minister added, he never said that the deposed judges would not be reinstated, adding that, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) opposed the 17th amendment.
Commenting on November 03 steps taken by Former President Pervez Musharraf, the Federal Law Minister said, Pervez Musharraf had promulgated two Provincial Constitutional Ordinances (PCO’s) during his regime. All judges of Supreme Court took oath under first PCO promulgated by Former President in 2000 while some judges opted not to take oath under second PCO on November 03, 2007, he pointed out. Supreme Court of Pakistan had validated PCO not the Parliament, he said.
Delay in reinstatement of deposed judges is because the government wishes to avoid a constitutional crisis, Naek pointed out. No one can solve problem by coming into streets, he said. Government intends to see peace and democracy in the country, he added. Government is facing law and order and economic crisis, he said. Crisis would not be resolved by staging sit in roads, he concluded.
Federal Law Minister Farooq Naek said that Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar is a chief justice and everyone should acknowledge him. Speaking to the media outside the National Assembly, Naek also spoke about the PPP’s opposition to the 17th amendment, and condemned the fact that General retired Pervez Musharraf had promulgated two PCO’s during his regime. Naek pointed out that since the Supreme Court has validated both PCO’s, restoring the judges is not a simple matter. He hashas strongly rejected claims that the government is not going to restore the judiciary. Naek says the delay in restoration is because the government wishes to avoid a constitutional crisis.
Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) is a supporter of restoration of deposed judges and committed with the promise made with the nation with regard to reinstatement of deposed judges but can give deadline for the restoration. While talking to media men at Karachi International Airport on Friday, the Premier said, judges were released by government of PPP after coming into power and we would also reinstate them but do not believe on giving deadline for the restoration.
It is a work of Parliament to reinstate deposed judges, he said. Replying to a question, the Prime Minister said, Pakistan Muslim League (N) was once our coalition partner and late Former Prime Minister Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and Co-Chairman PPP Asif Zardari also had good relations with them.
The Premier went on to say that he also met PML-N Parliamentary leader in the National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and made it clear on him that we do not have any personnel differences but having principle stand on judges issue.
When asked about resignation of PML-N ministers, Yousuf Raza Gilani said, it would be accepted soon after consultation. “PPP has rendered enormous sacrifices for the cause of democracy.