Press delight at judge's return

The judge's supporters celebrated in Lahore

Commentators in Pakistan revel in the reinstatement of Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, who was suspended by President Pervez Musharraf in March.

Writers in Urdu and English-language newspapers hail the ruling of the Supreme Court as "historic", a "triumph" and a "great verdict".

EDITORIAL IN DAILY TIMES

The 13-member full bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan has given a great verdict on the presidential reference filed against the Chief Justice of Pakistan, Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry. It has found him not guilty of the charges and restored him to his rightful position as the CJP of Pakistan. Naturally, the decision has made lawyers, civil society actors, political parties in the opposition and all democracy-loving people very happy. All of them have a lot to crow about.

EDITORIAL IN THE NATION

The Supreme Court's 10-3 historic judgement setting aside the presidential reference against Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry has met with an enthusiastic welcome across the entire spectrum of society, both the active participants and silent supporters of the campaign launched by the lawyers for his restoration. And there were scenes of jubilation outside the SC premises as the verdict was made public.

HEADLINE IN THE NEWS

Justice restored, history re-written.

COMMENTATOR I.A. REHMAN IN DAWN

It is difficult to recall a moment for quite a few decades when the people have been so overwhelmed by feelings of relief and joy as yesterday afternoon. Their happiness was spontaneous and infectious. They belonged to different classes and various schools of thought, and the cause of their happiness has no precedent in the sorrow-laden history of their country.

COMMENTARY IN NAWA-I-WAQT

It is a bright new reality that Chief Justice Iftikhar has returned to his chamber. Now the atmosphere of judicial freedom should be used to restore the sanctity of our law agencies, democratic government and to reinforce civil society.

COMMENTATOR RAJA ASGHAR IN DAWN

The Supreme Court ruling on Friday reinstating its chief justice has come as triumph of judicial defiance that could open the floodgates for more legal challenges to arbitrary actions and even cloud President Pervez Musharraf's political ambitions.

COMMENTARY IN AUSAF

Only he [Chief Justice Chaudhry] could challenge the government's power by standing up to the executive, which was using the judiciary with its traditional cruelty and later disposing of it like tissue paper.

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