NSU to Award Deposed Chief Justice of Pakistan with Honorary Degree at Law School Graduation

Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry to be honored for his stand for freedom and rule of law

FT. LAUDERDALE-DAVIE, Fla. – Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, who was removed as the chief justice of Pakistan after refusing to ratify a presidential order to suspend Pakistan’s constitution, will be awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws from Nova Southeastern University (NSU) at the graduation commencement for NSU’s Shepard Broad Law Center on May 10.

Chaudhry may be reinstated as Pakistan’s chief justice on May 12 through an agreement made by Pakistan’s coalition government on May 2. Chaudhry had been dismissed from office last November when he refused to ratify Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf’s order for a state of emergency and suspension of the nation’s constitution and parliament. He and several other judges were placed on house arrest and later removed from office.

Despite the confinement, Chaudhry continued to speak out against the violation to Pakistan’s constitution and his stand led to demonstrations against Musharraf and a call for justice for the deposed judges. After being released again in the wake of recent elections, Chaudhry resumed traveling and meeting with lawyers and others to build support for the reinstatement of all the superior court judges. The 60 other judges that were removed from office in November may also be reinstated on May 12.

“Chief Justice Chaudhry has courageously defended the rule of law and democracy, and we are honored to award him for his remarkable effort,” said Joseph Harbaugh, dean of the Shepard Broad Law Center. “He has been an inspiration to lawyers and others throughout the world.”

For his defense of the rule of law, Chaudhry was named the 2007 Lawyer of the Year by the National Law Journal, the first non-American to receive the honor from the U.S.-based publication. He also received the Harvard Law School Medal of Freedom last November.

Dr. Tariq Hassan, a distinguished attorney and fighter for the rule of law, will accept the honorary degree on Chaudhry’s behalf and address the 232 law graduates and their families at the 11 a.m. commencement ceremony at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Fla. Hassan has served as chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan, adviser to the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs of Pakistan, and Senior Counsel to the World Bank.

In the battle to restore the rule of law in Pakistan, Hassan led demonstrations to support an independent judiciary and bar. As a result of his protests, Hassan was beaten, arrested and jailed in Pakistan. He has also led the creation of a trust fund to help judges and attorneys who suffered economic hardship because of their actions.

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Media Contact:
Alan Hancock, NSU Office of Public Affairs
954-262-5385 Office, hancocka@nova.edu