Q. Since when have you been hiding?

We had a meeting with Mian Nawaz Sharif in Bahawalpur on 12th Rabi-ul-Awwal (March 10) and we decided to go underground. We expected a big crackdown, so everyone was advised to get as close to Islamabad and Lahore as possible. As we expected, the situation is pretty bad. I am in touch with my workers in Bahawalnagar. I am told that all routes leading out of the city have been blocked and there is heavy police presence everywhere. There are endless raids on our workers

I agree. It is a situation created by Musharraf, but the present government failed to change things. They completely failed to turn it around despite the fact that this is what their mandate was. The sad bit is that Zardari Saheb instead decided to perpetuate what was already wrong with Pakistan. Now all that they care about is collecting riches for themselves and leaving the people of this country to their own fate.

Pakistan is at its worst. The country can break anytime. Look at the situation in Wana, look at the situation in Baluchistan. Our (army) jawans are being martyred. Innocent people are dying in drone attacks. We have to save this country and Inshallah we will save it. The whole of Pakistan is with us. They can stop it in Quetta or Karachi, but these are different times. Media people like yourself are transmitting every single development on a minute-by-minute basis. So no one can stop it.

Q. Yes, but the situation you have described in Wana and Baluchistan is not the making of President Zardari or, for that matter, the Pakistan People's Party government. It was the legacy of President Musharraf and they just inherited it.

Q. What do you actually want from this long march? What can you achieve? Don

Q. How can you talk about an independent judiciary when you can recall what happened to chief Justice Sajjad Ali Shah during Mian Sahib

Q. We have had American influence for decades. Can we really say goodbye to it and sail smoothly as a state and that too at this point?

I know that we (our governments) have always taken orders from them, but we will have to now make some decision based on the Awami power. We have to respect the wishes of people too. We will have to persuade Americans on what our people want.

Q. But why now? What has happened to Pakistan so that you need to save it?

We want the judges restored and an independent judiciary. We want the Muree declaration honoured. We want Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chauhdry reinstated. Why? Because the only way this country can ever work is when an ordinary man will have access to justice. When there exists a rule of law. This is the respite people need. They do not want things to continue the way they are being handled. I won

For Nawaz League following issues are not important 1- Talibanisation of Fata and adjoining areas. 2- Unemployment. 3- Economic instability.

Not at all. What happened to Chief Justice Sajjad Ali Shah was conspiracy against us. We were not involved, PML-N as a party was not involved and Mian Sahib was not involved. It was just done to bring a bad name to our government. I have already stated here that we are not fighting for government. Mian Sahib was made an offer by the government that they are willing to restore it in Punjab, but he responded by asking them,

Q. What is your opinion on the Taliban? They have brought Sharia to Swat. Isn't their influence a bigger threat to Pakistan at the moment?

Anyone supporting Independent Judiciary is fighting for a noble cause and that is the only way of having a stable Pakistan. Iftikhar choudhery is a symbol of Independent Judicial System and impeccable integrity. The stature of Pakistan has increased immensely due to people like him. Zardari has literally sold off Benazir's legacy. He has refused to abide by his own signed commitments and that too thrice. What can someone expect from him? Even people of PPP from inside must be ashamed of their so called co-chairman. Nawaz Sharif is a national leader of Pakistan who has stood for principle. He graciously accepts that he has made mistakes in the past but has now learnt from that. Even when he was offered ministries in central he made sure that he keeps on pushing the agenda for Independent Judicial system. He even took all his ministers out when Zardari did not keep his promise. Let us hope this march will be an eye-opener. The judges will be reinstated with honour. All the best to lawyers and Mian Nawaz.

Q. But the Taliban are bombing schools and they want girls to stay at home. Do you agree with it?

In Swat the bigger problem is ordinary citizen's access to justice. If we have an independent judiciary, this problem will anyway will be solved. Besides it is Zardari Sahib and their coalition partners who have agreed to this deal. However, Pakistan is an Islamic country and we have to have laws in accordance with Islamic principles.

It is a local problem. Every region has its own traditions. We have to engage them.

Q. But then you have Qazi Hussain Ahmed and Imran Khan joining you and they have never condemned the Taliban on record. Instead haven't they at times supported their ideology?

Q. But do you agree that girls should not get education?

No, personally I don

How about Maulana Fazlur Rehman who is a part of the government? Our alliance with Jamat and PTI is just on the issue of restoration of the judiciary and the CJ. It is important that we have an independent judiciary. Unless everyone gets access to justice, this country can not progress. When Mian Sahib met with Benazir Sahiba in London, he categorically stated that lets forget the past. Now if he sincerely wants to advance the cause of democracy, what is the problem? I think there is still time. Today is 13th. I appeal to the Prime Minster of Pakistan to save this country and restore the independent judiciary.

No, Mian Sahib has never been sympathetic to the Taliban. His sympathy is only with Pakistan and its people. He has always believed and still believes that if Pakistan becomes strong we all will become stronger. He has never supported Taliban and neither has any Taliban leader met him. As far as Americans are concerned, he holds regular meetings with all their diplomats and important officials. But one thing Mian Sahib always made clear to them is that they should listen to what our people want. They want the drone attacks to stop. When our innocent people will die and be martyred, there would be an anti America public reaction. We are not against America, but we want Americans to stop taking actions which will create anger among Pakistanis. America should support democracy and condemn undemocratic elements. America should condemn the people who want to bring anarchy to this country. We will appreciate all the good things they will do but if they will support non-democratic values then you cannot stop public anger from building against them.

Q. What do think of war on terror? Do you think if PML-N is in power, or the judiciary is restored, will the drone attacks stop? Will this stop terrorism?

@ Shafiq Khan --- "I appeal to the Prime Minster of Pakistan to save this country and restore the independent judiciary." ---- If IMC was not restored will Nawaz League try to break-up the country ????

When did Nawaz League arrange a rally against Talibans and suicide bombings ???

When there is injustice, people turn to violence. They become criminals. When you will make sure that every one has access to justice, Inshallah this country will become a heaven of peace. Besides this, if tomorrow PML-N comes to power, we will have to take a stand. If Americans pressurize us for something that is not in our interest, we should refuse to take orders. To us, the interest of this country, its people and stability should remain the prime objective. Once this is achieved, there would be no terrorism. We all know now that to save this country, every one will have to play their role.

When did Nawaz Shariff or Shahbaz Shariff condemned destructions of schools in Fata and in SWAT ???

Q. One last question. Yesterday I spoke to a PPP supporter and he questioned Mian Sahib's motives. According to him Mian sahib wants to ride the popular wave of Anti American sentiments in Pakistan as well as keep the Taliban sympathizers happy

Thank you very much Khan Sahib for your time and sharing your views with us and Good luck. Hope you make it to Islamabad for 16th.

Inshallah we will. We are political workers and we know how not to get arrested. Thank you.

wow whata convincing comment...great shafiq sahab with all due respect...what kind of democracy are you people showing by not facing the SC...

Long live Imran,Nawaz,Kurd,and all the supporters of independent judiciary. The Zardari and his govt will be out very shortly.

Shafiq sahib, what would happen if CJ is restored, would then he Revoke NRO???? Would that mean Zardari has to face all the charges that were disposed under NRO????????

What would you say to the argument that the current agitation by Nawaz Sharif is not for any independence of Judiciary etc. but for coming back into power. Mian Sahib orchestrated an attack on the Supreme Court, engendered the ousting of the then chief justice, muzzled major constitutional amendments without any discussion/debate in parliament and the list goes on. This sudden awakening of Mian Sahib at a time when the core foundation of this state is being threatened by militancy and economic bankruptcy are mind boggling.

So, Nawaz is battling the government for the restoration of IMC. He quit the coalition, inaugurated open verbal fire at the federal ruling party and joined the lawyer's long march. In all this, his said claim is to promote democracy through an independent judiciary. Where in all this politicization of the cause of the judiciary, do we find a brighter future? So assuming IMC is restored, in what ways exactly does Nawaz League believe that the judiciary will THEN be independent?

To be honest the way Shahbaz sharif rule punjab it is disgusting. He has ruled before and was ruling now what he did to change police role and behaviour? He acted extra constitutionally when dealing with criminal elements. Instead of motivating civil servants he acted like a wadera. Threatening each and everyone. But I don't think you should blame Mr Zardari for these things. He publicly said more then once that he has no mandate to restore judiciary. And he said that very clearly, yes he wet into written agreements, b'coz he wanted to gain time to get established and PML-N also let him fool them because they wanted to gain time to gain control of punjab admin. Mr Zardari offered them very right choices I was really happy to see Mr. Ahsan Iqbal as education minister n Mr. Ishaq Dar as finanace minister but alas.... actually PPP also wanted a share in punjab govt. To leave it to PML-N means they lose political ground and may not perform well in nest election. As Ch. Manzoor the ppp comrade has talked about rigging and deprivation of ppp simple majority in last election. So it is better for Sharif bro to grow up. And Ch Iftekhar, hemust realize that he has played he role very well. He must resign to save all this and join Imran khan in TI for justice system. All know very well how he and pseudo intellectual Mr. Aitzaz Ahsan dragged the uniform issue case so that after mush shed his uniform then they 'll disqualify him. It is simple mush acted before them. So it is also shameful what CM sindh has done. A civil judge was bending before him almost at 45 degree to receive car keys. shame shame shame.... Btw when Mr zardari keep MQM in govt in sindh Mr sharif was against him.But everybody knows it well no govt cando well without MQM they have urban votes if u like or not. Then why sharif rush to shake hands with MQM? what of principled stands?

As a patriotic pakistani it saddens me how our country was progressing before 9th March 2007, a country going on the up, gaining respect, gaining foreign investment and now everything is ruined. Every story has a different side to it why dont the media and common people understand the kind of damage and havoc this laywers movement has done to our country. Pakistans slide began when this lawyers movement started. If this movement is so great it should have had a positive affect on Pakistan but it is clearly having the opposite. Similarly the champtions of this movement said when Musharraf is removed things will really improve but even that didnt happen. It is time for the common citizen to realize this movement is nothing more than a political game.

Well, our core problem as a nation is being biased at all issues. Most of the people analyze and look the things through the goggles of their own political or religious views, rather than national perspective. A

We are ruining the country for a single person CJ is it what this country deserves . In democracy the matters should be solved in the parliament if Mian Sb wants to resolve this matter then resolve this through parliament and if he cannot in parliament then wait for his turn in next elections as if he cannot resolve this in parliament through elected members who took votes from People of Pakistan then it means that its not the will of the majority else Mian Sb should have got enough seats alone to get it done . To go with parties like Jamat-e-Islami and Tehreek-e-Insaaf who have no representation in parliament and who boycotted the democracy means Mian Sb him self is opposing his decision of going in elections arent these double standards . And lastly if CJ is so honest with the country he should immediately resign and go into politics and see how many votes he gets instead of ruining this country when situation all around the country is so bad .

What do you mean by independent judiciary? PML-N just want Justice Iftikhar Ch., so he can overturn the sitting chief justice decisions and get the power. Sharif brothers need to be patient if they really contribute to the society by being in the opposition they will be elected again. Lawyers should not allow themselves to be used again by the politicians.

Planned better than I thought. Only thing matter is how many people turn out at Long March and Dharna.

It was very natural that PPP government put a banned on certain tv channels. Media start hate campaign against PPP as soon it come to power I am seen this for last forfty year.

Shafiq Khan sahib it seem you have double standard -- it is not OK when US interfere, but it is OK when Saudi Arabia interferes.

Its all about "power" in our democracy. Zardari wants is trying to hold on to absolute power while the Sharif brothers are trying to snatch it from Zardari. They are all "Victims of disorganized thinking" !!

All politicians are thieves, Pakistan is a source of income for them, they are exploiting poor people

long march will do no harm to the govt and iam sure that our elected President knows how to tackle these minuscule and petty issues.... GA bhutoo,GA Zardari and GA PPP!!!

The financial times in its editorial today calls the Pakistani politicians 'breathtakingly irresponsible'. The mantra that 'any democracy is better than dictatorship' is clearly standing on its head in Pakistan. The mere fact that twice tested and failed politicians are supported by either ethnic solidarity or a sense of loyalty goes to show that Pakistan is not ready for democracy. What is happening there is a farce and a travesty and acolytes of both sides should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves. Can't there be some fresh faces, hopefully untainted?

PPP did a rally in the Karachi just week ago and just couple of days before that PPP asked MQM, its allies, to stage a public meeting in Karachi in their favor. Full district government resources were used on both occassions without any second thoughts. Forward a week ahead, when Jamat-e-Islami tried to form a welcome camp for the Long Marchers, government by forces evicted the camp and arrested the workers of JI. Same is being done to the political workers, lawyers and civil society throughout the country and yet this government is hell bent on calling itself the champion of democracy.

I am an attorney admitted to the Supreme Court of Nevada. I have to ask you one question, which in fact lots of American attorneys ask me. Pakistani attorneys had made their point in opposing their government in resotration of democracy. Now, they can challenge it in a judicial forum like all attorneys do, or via elections. Both have given their verdict in Pakistan and which is against all lawyers at this time. So what is this continuous fuss about? Secondly, when was the last time a Pakistani attorneys was barred from any of the bar associations for violating any ethical breach or just doing a bad service to his client. We all know how the justice system is corrupt in all levels and how attorneys either contrive and perpetuate that or just a silent partner with that. Did they ever got rid of any black sheeps in their own rows?

@Musadiq Imran Khan has never endorsed the actions of the talibans. Rather if you go back to one of his speeches in decemeber last year, he clearly said that no educated person would side with the taliban mentality.You are wrongly trying to connect him with the Taliban. What he quotes about the taliban is that he relates why they came to power was because of the injustice that spread amongst afghanistan because of the warlords!! So @Musadiq stop trying to mislead people and wrongly associate imran khan with the taliban . He is standing for the fundamental rights of all human beings and that starts with justice. It starts with "insaf" for everyone.

@ Faizan Bhojani + other Moulvi Imran Khan's Lovers 1- When did Clean-Shaven Moulvi address a press conference solely condemn Talibans attrocities on poor Pakistanis ?? 2- When did Pakistan Tehrik-e-Imran arrange a rally to condemn destruction of schools and suicide bombings and beheadings by Talibans ?? 3- When did Imran Khan go to Swat and Fata to show solidarity with poor people there who are subjected to Talibans terrorists activities ???