Judge's Restoration Is Cause for Joy, Hope in Pakistan

Pakistan’s chief justice has been reinstated, inspiring not only celebration but renewed hope among that country’s citizens, the New York Times reports. Happy lawyers—central to the popular effort—and others camped out on the lawn of Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry’s home today, but his victory is seen as just the first step in a longer battle. “Justice,” one woman said. “We came for justice.”

Celebrants included a far-flung family of eight, a software engineer, and an illiterate working man who often steals monkeys to subsist. “I want justice in schools, on roads, in transportation,” the woman continued. Not everyone is buying it, however. Escaping from the oligarchy requires education in Pakistan, which is 50% illiterate. “Unfortunately, we’re just not there yet,” a sober attendee said. (More Pakistan stories.)