Judiciary to strengthen Pak democratic system: Chief Justice

Islamabad, Feb.18 (ANI): The Pakistan Government has accepted Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry's recommendations that the judiciary is their to safeguard the country's democratic system "in the best national interests".

It agreed to elevate Justice Saqib Nisar and Justice Asif Saeed Khosa as judges of the Supreme Court and appointed Justice Khalilur Rehman Ramday an ad hoc SC judge, while Justice Khawaja Muhammad Sharif would continue serving as the Lahore High Court Chief Justice.

Confirming the appointments, the Daily Times quoted presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar, as saying that President Asif Ali Zardari had signed the summary of the appointments last night.

Earlier in the day, following negotiations with Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry that lasted for more than three hours at the Prime Minister's House, Yousaf Raza Gilani announced the withdrawal of the presidential orders of February 13 and the issuance of a new notification.

According to a press release, the prime minister and the chief justice agreed that the consultative process among the pillars of state should be constructive and meaningful.

APP news agency quoted the chief justice as saying that the judiciary would continue to play its role in strengthening the democratic system.

Addressing reporters after the meeting with the chief justice and later speaking on the floor of the National Assembly, Gilani said the new notification would supersede the orders of February 13.

Gilani said the outcome of his meeting with the chief justice was in the best interests of the nation and would bring more stability to the system.

The prime minister said, "The government holds the judiciary in high esteem and shall implement all decisions of the higher judiciary in letter and spirit." (ANI)