Pakistani Catholics welcome reinstatement of chief justice, judges

(March 19,2009): Catholic officials in Pakistan welcomed the government's decision to reinstate Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and 10 other judges. "We congratulate our leaders for taking a timely decision. Amid a crumbling economy and prevailing terrorism, the move is really praiseworthy," Father Jacob Dogra, vicar general of the Islamabad-Rawalpindi Diocese, told the Asian church news agency UCA News. "Getting justice in courts now has increased for all citizens, including Christians," he said And Fr Arthur Charles, vicar general of the Karachi Archdiocese, said, "The church is part of society, and free and fair institutions will benefit the minorities, such as Christians.
The government decision came hours before a planned march from Lahore to Islamabad by lawyers and opposition parties in favour of reinstating the judges. Nationwide, demonstrators had been protesting against a government crackdown on lawyers, opposition members and activists.
Over the past two years, Pakistan's Catholic leaders have demanded an independent judiciary, reported UCA News. They issued several statements and held seminars in collaboration with civil society groups to voice their concerns.