Pakistan's sacked Chief Justice speaks to BBC Urdu

Media News

London, November 10, 2007

Pakistan's sacked Chief Justice, Iftikar Choudhury, has been speaking to BBC Urdu. He's been dismissed from his post for refusing to sign President Musharraf's decree declaring a state of emergency. He is now a virtual prisoner in his home, and BBC Urdu managed to contact him by telephone.

Iftikar Choudhury sounded defiant - under effective house arrest - and surrounded by armed police.

He said he had no access to radio or television - and no information about the outside world.

But he told the BBC - by phone - that under Pakistan's constitution, President Musharraf’s actions were illegal:

He said: "I am still the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and the judges are still the judges under the constitution, and no-one can limit our freedom of movement. On the 3d of November, we issued a stay order against the imposition of emergency, and we did not take the oath under the Provisional Constitutional Order because we believe the constitution is the supreme law."

He believes he was sacked for refusing to sign a decree declaring the state of emergency.

He's long been an irritant to President Musharraf - and a hero for those opposed to him.

President Musharraf said the unruly judiciary was one reason why he had to impose a state of emergency.

Mr Chowdhury dismissed that - insisting the judiciary was no obstacle in fighting extremism.

He said Pakistan needed independent judges and lawyers to help combat extremists.

He insisted it was the duty of lawyers to struggle for the Constitution - and he dismissed the President's new legal appointments:

"The new Chief Justice and judges do not have a lawful constitutional position. As far as running any sort of campaign on the streets is concerned, our campaign will be run by the 160 million people of Pakistan and the political parties," he said.

When asked whether he would be willing to meet President Musharraf, he said he would - if the conditions were right.

He has also expressed his hope that the political parties in the country will forget their differences and work towards the restoration of the constitution.

For more information contact:

Lala Najafova, International Publicist, BBC World Service

+44(0)207557 2944; lala.najafova@bbc.co.uk