Musadiq Sanwal reports live from Islamabad as the second lawyers’ Long March arrives in the capital. Meanwhile Muhammad Badar Alam, Bureau Chief of the Herald, provides the latest news from Lahore. While lawyers and political activists of the PML-N march on, they will have updates from the protests, the word on the street, and stories from the sidelines. Return to The Dawn Blog for live updates, feature stories, and multimedia specials.
11.00 PST: Lahore
According to latest reports, all those who were arrested are to be released immediately and a notification has been issued to resinstate the judges.
Nawaz Sharif called off the Long March and thanked the nation while it was announced that CJ Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry would be sworn back in on March 21.
6.00 PST: Islamabad
In a short speech, PM Gilani officially announces that Iftikhar Chaudhry will be reinstated as the Supreme Court Justice. He also announces that Section 144 will be lifted throughout the country. He congratulates the people of Pakistan on this historic occasion.
5.24 PST: Islamabad
Iftikhar Chaudhry’s spokesperson Athar Minallah says that he hopes the democratically elected government will fulfill the wishes of the people by restoring the deposed chief justice. But Minallah says that the Long March will only be over when Chaudhry takes his place in courtroom number one.
Meanwhile, there are reports that the Long March will continue until the PM’s address is heard by the nation. Activists acommpanying Sharif’s convoy continue to move toward Islamabad.
4.45 PST: Islamabad
Dawn News reports that rumours abound that President Zardari has already returned to President House and gone to sleep while the nation awaits an official announcement about the chief justice’s reinstatement.
No reasons have been given to explain why the broadcast of PM Gilani’s speech has been delayed.
4.25 PST: Islamabad
The nation continues to await PM Gilani’s address. According to Dawn News, PM Gilani has recorded the speech and it is being edited.
Meanwhile, there are reports that President Zardari has contacted MQM chief Altaf Hussain in London via telephone. He also spoke with JUI-F’s Fazlul Rehman and ANP’s Asfandyar Wali Khan. These coalition partners were informed about the president’s decision regarding the chief justice’s reinstatement.
Barriers have largely been removed from Rawalpindi to allow free movement through the city.
4.15 PST: Islamabad
The large crowd gathered outside Chaudhry’s house continues to be jubilant – and continues to grow in number. Lawyers are celebrating alongside political party activists who are waving party flags and raising slogans. Police presence continues to be scarce.
PM Gilani is expected to address the nation in the next few minutes.
3.45 PST: Islamabad
Nawaz Sharif will also reportedly address the nation from Gujranwala after PM Gilani has spoken.
3.30 PST: Islamabad
There are unconfirmed reports that a helicopter has been dispatched from the capital to collect Nawaz Sharif and Aitzaz Ahsan.
3.27 PST: Islamabad
The question on everyone in Islamabad’s lips: will governor rule be called off in the Punjab as part of PM Gilani’s speech?
3.05 PST: Islamabad
Senior PML-N leader Javed Hashmi, who was arrested earlier in the day, has arrived at Iftikhar Chaudhry’s house. Speaking to the media, he said that he hopes that the PM’s announcement will fulfill the expectations of the nation.
2.55 PST: Islamabad/Lahore
Security barriers are being erected outside the residence of Iftikhar Chaudhry.
Meanwhile, owing to the lack of obstacles and police forces, the size of Nawaz Sharif’s convoy is swelling and a large number people are still expected to arrive in Islamabad on Monday.
2.50 PST: Islamabad
Although reports remain unconfirmed, according to PPP sources, deposed chief justice Iftikhar Chaudhry will be reinstated and is expected to take office on March 22, after current Chief Justice Dogar retires on March 21. Two of his deposed colleagues will also be joining him.
Dawn News television reports that the message about the chief justice’s reinstatement has been conveyed to Nawaz Sharif and he has been asked to halt his journey at Gojra, rather than continuing on to Islamabad.
2.25 PST: Islamabad
Residents of Islamabad report that some of the containers that had been put up around the capital earlier in the day to prevent movement are now being removed.
Dawn News television reports that PM Gilani’s address to the nation is currently being drafted and will soon be broadcast.
2.10 PST: Islamabad
Early on Monday morning, Pakistanis are glued to their television sets, waiting to learn the outcome of the meeting between President Zardari, PM Gilani, and COAS Kayani. The meeting ended at about 1:00 a.m. and the prime minister is expected to address the nation shortly, but rumours are already making the rounds of the capital city and Lahore.
Crowds have gathered outside deposed chief justice Iftikhar Chaudhry’s house: they are celebrating the (unconfirmed) restoration of the chief justice. The political activists say they have received word from PML-N leadership that the chief justice has been restored as an outcome of the presidential meeting. Police forces have moved away from Chaudhry’s residence and are making no effort to enforce Section 144.
PML-N leader Chaudhry Nisar, for his part, has said that the chief justice has been restored and that the announcement will be made within the hour.
Meanwhile, Nawaz Sharif’s convoy is snaking its way to Islamabad. It is currently approaching Gujranwala (the city’s exit and entry points had been blocked earlier, but police forces are reportedly not presenting further obstacles to Sharif’s movement).
Dawn (Pakistan)