Govt release of my family 'a mere joke': Deposed Pak CJ

Islamabad, Mar 4 (UNI) Pakistan's deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry has termed the government's announcement to release his wife and children a ''mere joke'', saying even if it is true he cannot leave his children at the mercy of those who know no moral bounds.

Mr Chaudhry, who was shown the door after he along with another 12 judges of the Supreme Court refused to take fresh oath following imposition of emergency on November 3, 3007, as saying that such hollow concessions offered after keeping them under illegal detention for four months were immaterial and of no consequence.

''Without being free myself, how could I leave my children at the mercy of those who have detained us illegally since November 3, 2007,'' he asked, adding it would be like throwing your children into the jungle.

''Who will be responsible for their security and why should I send my daughters out with strangers,''Mr Chaudhry sought to know.

He has been detained with his family at his residence here since November 3.

''In situations where even my land telephones are disconnected and mobile SIMs blocked every now and then, how could I keep track of my children if they are even sent to school?'' ''If they are not allowed to get back to their home, what could I do then,'' he asked.

The deposed chief justice revealed that instead of easing the security it had further been tightened while locks at the main gates of his official residence were never opened.

His children, however, have showed an extremely high morale and courageously gone through the worst period of their illegal detention, he said, adding the worst days would soon be over and there would be a rule of law and supremacy of the Constitution in the country. It was a matter of days before the judiciary would be restored, he said.

Referring to the December 27 killing of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, he said, ''What worse could befall on the country.

Allah Almighty has his own way of dispensing justice.'' UNI XC SYU DS1205