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Forget the past, says Zardari

— Photo: AFP

Heading back: Pakistani Supreme Court Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhary leaves after offering Friday prayers near his residence in Islamabad on Saturday.

Islamabad: In a bid to mend fences with the opposition parties, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has said it is time to “forget the past” and “move on” after he acceded to their demand to restore deposed judges.

The restoration of judges sacked during the 2007 emergency by the former President, Pervez Musharraf, “should be seen as another step in the evolutionary process of strengthening [Pakistan’s] institutions,” Mr. Zardari said while addressing a farewell dinner he hosted for outgoing Supreme Court Chief Justice Abdul Hamid Dogar last night.

“It is time to look forward and build on what has been achieved. It is time to forget the past. It is time to move on,” he told the gathering that included Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, federal ministers, apex court judges, parliamentarians and the three service chiefs.

Chief Justice Iftikhar M. Chaudhary, reinstated after a nationwide anti-government protest, is set to resume duties from Sunday as incumbent Abdul Hamid Dogar retired on Saturday. Chief Justice Dogar, who was installed Mr. Musharraf after he sacked Chief Justice Chaudhary and other judges during the 2007 emergency rule, retired from the post that can be held till the age of 65 which he attains on Sunday. — PTI

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