LAHORE, March 24: The judges deposed in the wake of imposition of Nov 3 emergency say Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani's order mirrored the aspirations of the people.

Lahore High Court deposed Judge Justice Khawaja Muhammad Sharif said the newly-elected prime minister respected the people's mandate by ordering the release of the detained judges.

He said neither rulers nor the judiciary could dare to commit wrongdoings because the people through media were keeping a constant check on them.

He expressed the hope that the signatories of Mree Declaration would restore the judges within 30 days.

Mr Sharif lauded the role of lawyers and media who, he said, presented a true picture of the affairs to the nation. Mr Khawaja said from now onwards the people would rule and there would be rule of law in the country.

Justice Sair Ali of the LHC, who declined to take oath under November 3 PCO, said all unconstitutional steps of Pervez Musharraf proved a blessing in disguise for the nation as it got liberation from the dictatorship once and for all.

He said what the judges suffered on and after November 3 was meaningless because the nation had achieved a bigger goal. "The issue of judges’ restoration has become less important because the defiance of a large number of judges to the dictatorial regime has given a new hope and courage to the masses", he maintained.

He pointed out that the nation had reposed confidence in the judges who opted not to take oath under PCO while they had out-rightly rejected the ‘PCO judges’.

CELEBRATIONS: Lawyers, civil society and political activists thronged the residences of deposed judges in the city soon they heard prime minister-elect Yousaf Raza Gilani announced the release of the judges under house arrest since Nov 3, 2007. Pakistan People’s Party workers, however, celebrated the occasion at Bilawal House in Model Town.