This is an account of my parents' meeting with CJ Iftikhar Chaudhry the day after he was freed from house arrest.
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The Day We Met the Chief Justice of Pakistan
Iftikhar Chaudhry Was Finally Free After Five Months of Confinement
All these years we, my wife and I, used to envy all those people who had met the Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
On 25th March 2008, we went to meet the Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry. It is really very difficult to describe the feeling of how we felt in the company of the Chief Justice of Pakistan. His bright eyes full of confidence, determination and reassurance will see through you, measuring you, gauging you and judging you; to assure you that the Chief Qazi of the land will carry out his sacred duty of administering justice without ‘fear’ or ‘favour’, and this is one of the most liked qualities in a person by Allah. We were happy that we met a man, almost a mirror image of Quaid-e-Azam. We now know how it must have felt like in the company of the Quaid-e-Azam.
We felt safe and reassured that no one would harm us after all the lawless situation, as the rule of law will prevail in the country and not dictates and whims of a person. There was comfort and protection that one got in the figure of this man; so humble in his disposition and so great in his righteousness. The feelings were not to part with such a company and remain there for ever to listen and learn; to chart your life on the principles of self respect, grace and dignity with firmness. His voice, so soft, that it sounded like a rhythm of life. He felt very happy that we were with him and thanked us. He said that we should always pray for him that may Allah grant him strength to come out of this ordeal successfully. He said he feels strong and honoured when all of us, the people, are with him.
His company was studded with the ‘stars’ and ‘heroes’ of our time, who gave the hope for a new beginning to the people of Pakistan. For a Pakistan which our Quaid had promised but which was lost somewhere in the dust of time. We had a great opportunity to also meet the great leaders of the lawyers, Aitzaz Ahsan, Muneer A. Malik, Ahmed Ali Kurd, Justice (retd.) Tariq Mehmood, Hamid Ali Khan, Athar Minallah, Sardar Atta Ullah Khan, Zafarullah Khan, Gohar Ali Khan, Abid Hussain (President British Muslim Lawyers Association of UK) and others. We are very grateful to the companions of the Chief Justice of Pakistan who showed a way to the Nation that, “until you change your life yourself no one else will do it for you.” This was highly appreciated by Barrister Abid Hussain from UK who said, “sitting abroad we always wanted people of Pakistan to stand up for their rights, we are happy that the lawyers of Pakistan showed the way and the people of Pakistan followed.”
We were welcomed very warmly, we were embraced, hugged and made to feel comfortable. We discussed the events of these past five months. They said they got strength from our prayers and support at all times, and it kept them going to achieve what they all had decided their aim was. We assured them that it was our common aim and we will do what ever it takes to achieve it. All the lawyers’ leaders thanked us one by one for the solidarity which was shown to them all the time. We also met all the junior lawyers who were present there in hundreds and appreciated their courage and steadfastness in their movement for the establishment of law and constitution in the country.
We are sure that the future of Pakistan is secure and we will tread on the path of success. May Allah guide us and give us the courage to stand for righteousness.
The writer is a retired Air Commodore
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