Judge's Restoration Is Cause for Joy, Hope in Pakistan

By Harry Kimball, Newser Staff

Posted Mar 16, 2009 2:33 PM CDT

(Newser) – Pakistan’s chief justice has been reinstated, inspiring not only celebration but renewed hope among that country’s citizens, the New York Times reports. Happy lawyers—central to the popular effort—and others camped out on the lawn of Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry’s home today, but his victory is seen as just the first step in a longer battle. “Justice,” one woman said. “We came for justice.”

Celebrants included a far-flung family of eight, a software engineer, and an illiterate working man who often steals monkeys to subsist. “I want justice in schools, on roads, in transportation,” the woman continued. Not everyone is buying it, however. Escaping from the oligarchy requires education in Pakistan, which is 50% illiterate. “Unfortunately, we’re just not there yet,” a sober attendee said.

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Pakistani lawyers celebrate. (AP Photo)

Pakistani lawyers celebrate after the government announced it would reinstate fired Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry. (AP Photo)

Pakistani lawyers share traditional sweets to celebrate the government decision to reinstate fired Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry. (AP Photo)

Pakistani lawyers celebrate as Pakistan agreed to reinstate Supreme Court chief justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, outside his home. (AP Photo)

Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry. (AP Photo)

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The feudal system, it was in the past. There was no media then. No education. The poor were poor forever. Now is the time to wake up. It’s been 60 years and we’ve been wasting our time. - Mazhar Iqbal, private school manager

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