ISLAMABAD, March 25: If there is a place in the capital where bouquets of all kinds and sizes are to be found, it is the official residence of deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry where his admirers heaped blossoming flowers here on Tuesday to celebrate his freedom from detention of over four months.

Fans of the deposed CJ from all walks of life including politicians with colourful flowers lined up since morning at his residence located at the footsteps of picturesque Margalla hills at the Judges Colony to pay the tribute to the rare courage shown by him and his family by braving complete isolation from the outside world for a considerable period of time.

Now, the removed multi-rolls of barbed wires and blockades on the road leading towards the Judges Colony is a grim reminder of the trying days when Justice Iftikhar, his family members and other detained judges in the colony must have endured with steel nerves, while lawyers, members of the civil society and journalists were braving tear gas and baton-charge outside the colony every now and then.

Informal talks with the family sources revealed how difficult it was for them to live in complete isolation when no visitor was allowed and they had no permission even to step on the lush green lawns of the otherwise beautifully maintained official residence, and especially when one has a physically challenged minor, who is always in need of medical attention.

Though judges are always a lonely individuals as they usually keep their distance from public but it really needs a divine intervention to have the courage to endure and live through such difficult times.

There is always a limit to everything as for how long can a person watch television or read newspapers, study books or spend time with his family.

“The forbearance shown by the entire family in such a circumstance will always be remembered in the annals of the country,” remarked a lover of the deposed CJ, on the condition of anonymity, adding Justice Iftikhar’s one big ‘No’ on the face of a military dictator made him an icon of resistance.

This was the reason that the short-lived martial law imposed by President Pervez Musharraf on November 3, 2007, then as army chief, was rejected by the people with full force, he said.

However, every body was convinced that only strong and an independent judiciary could ensure democracy to flourish in the country.

The release of the deposed judges also provided the opportunity to have a little get-together, with deposed judges namely Justice Sardar Muhammad Raza Khan, Justice Mian Shakirullah Jan, Justice Tassaduq Jillani and Justice Nasir-ul- Mulk meeting Justice Iftikhar at his residence.

Later, Justice Sardar Muhammad Raza Khan told reporters: “The over four-month detention was illegal and that the judges could go to the Supreme Court even today as principles demand that we should wait for the parliament to honour its commitment of restoring pre-emergency judiciary in 30 days”.

Supreme Court Bar Association’s president Aitzaz Ahsan also announced an aggressive schedule of Justice Iftikhar of addressing different bar associations of the country, Rawalpindi Bar being the first but the date would be announced later.

He also reiterated that damages suits of billion of rupees would be filed against President Musharraf and the people in the administration who detained judges on mere verbal orders, adding that the damages would be recovered from their personal properties.

The deposed CJ met almost with every body except a delegation of students of Jamia Hafsa on the grounds that their case was still pending in the courts. Minority member Julius Salik also led a delegation of the homeless from the katchi abadis.

Though police was not blocking any one from going to meet the deposed chief justice but they maintained strict vigil to discourage any miscreant from sneaking in to implement his anti-social designs.