Deposed Pakistan judges in high spirits

Islamabad, Nov 6 (UNI) Six deposed Supreme Court judges, ousted by the Provisional Constitutional Order (PCO) imposed by Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf on Saturday, have said they would chalk out a united course of action.

The News reported that though confined to their houses, the Judges were in high spirits and said they want to see how people react to ''one-man's illegal and unconstitutional measures''.

They asserted they would not give in.

''All the judges will chalk out a united course of action,'' Justice Rana Bhagwandas said.

''I am satisfied about what I have done. This is the testing time; Almighty Allah has given me great strength to bear it. I am grateful to Him for bestowing me with strong religious faith,'' he added.

''We have done our job by giving our decision against the PCO on November 3 and now we would like to see how the civil society, the media and lawyers react. All that has been resorted to by the government is illegal and unconstitutional,'' Justice Bhagwandas said.

Justice Javed Iqbal, who headed the apex court bench hearing the petitions against Gen Musharraf's candidacy to contest October 6 presidential poll, said he was proud of his decision.

He alleged he was not being allowed to go out of his house to meet his relatives and his family members were not being permitted to visit him.

Justice Khalilur Rehman Ramday, confined to his house in Lahore, said he was very happy and thankful to Almighty Allah.

''Even in my normal life,I live on the ground, sleep on the floor and use community bathroom,'' he was quoted by the paper as saying.

Justice Sardar Raza M Khan said, ''we have nothing to cook while I had my children with me.'' He alleged he was asked to take oath under the PCO but he denied.

''I said I am for upholding the Constitution and the rule of law. I can't be such a hypocrite as earlier we had been giving decisions against Musharraf and now we take oath to legitimise the PCO and imposition of emergency.'' Justice Jamshed Ali claimed new Chief Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar approached him two days back and asked him to take oath under the PCO.

Deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry said: ''Now we are virtually under arrest.'' UNI