By IRNA
Islamabad : Deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry appeared at the terrace of his residence for the first time in almost five months after the Prime Minister-elect ordered release of all detained judges.
Prime Minister-elect Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani issued his first order in his maiden speech in the National Assembly to free the deposed Chief Justice and all other senior deposed judges.
Hundreds of lawyers, political activists, general public and members of civil society rushed to the house of the deposed Chief Justice as Gilani made the announcement of the judges’ release.
“The honorable judges were detained illegally at their residence on November 3rd,” the deposed Chief Justice told the cheering crowd.
President Musharraf had sacked the Chief Justice and around 60 top judges after he imposed emergency on November 3rd.
The judges were sacked after they refused to take oath of loyalty to President Musharraf.
“Our destination is far, we will move in such a way that there should be no hurdles in our way.
“I expect such cooperation from you,” the deposed Chief Justice said amid slogans against President Pervez Musharraf.
Iftikhar Chaudhry thanked the lawyers and people for their support during his detention.
“I thank all of you and the whole nation. I do not have words to thank for your struggle,” he said.
Earlier police removed barbed wires and cemented blocks from the road leading to the residence of the deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhamamd Chuadhry.