No foreign pressure on PPP Govt. to restore judges: Kaira

Islamabad, Mar 17 (ANI): Information Minister Qamar-uz-Zaman Kaira has said that Pakistan People's Party led government had fulfilled promises made by its slain leader Benazir Bhutto, and rejected the impression that there was foreign pressure on the government for the reinstatement.

"The government was not forced by any quarter other than the lawyers and the political parties to announce the restoration of deposed judges", he told reporters here.

"Deadlocks have never borne good results in the past and the PPP Government has broken the deadlock on judicial issue by showing political maturity and farsightedness," he said.

Kaira also clarified that Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry did not need to take fresh oath of his office.

"Iftikhar Chaudhry does not need to take oath of his office as he has been restored with administrative process and will only take charge of his office on 21st March 2009," The Nation quoted him, as saying.

Kaira rebutted the impression that the deposed judges had been restored with terms and a condition. "All stakeholders were consulted before announcing the decision and if Pakistan Army has also been consulted in this regard it is not strange", he stated.

"The restoration of Chief Justice is the manifestation of the political insight of the PPP, which is a flag bearer of democratic values and the freedom of the press and judiciary," he added.

Kaira said that the PPP had always remained in forefront in the struggle for rights of the masses, civil society and media.

The Information Minister appreciated the role played by the political parties and lawyers to take judges restoration movement to the logical end.

He further said that PPP had always fought for the independence of judiciary, adding, "PPP is the only party which has given more sacrifices than any other party in judicial struggle." (ANI)