Former President Musharraf and Asif Zardari had come to realize that if the deposed judges were quickly and unconditionally restored, they would be digging their own graves. Thus, not wanting the sword of Damocles to constantly dangle over their heads, they were determined to keep these judges at bay for as long as possible. When Musharraf quitted, one huge stumbling block in the way of judges was mercifully gone but the other kept on pursuing his agenda. It's an open secret that Mr. Zardari has many skeletons in the cupboard. He dreads the unconditional return of the 'black robes' lest they strike down the NRO stripping him of all trappings of power. Bereft of power, he would be in the same vulnerable position he was in prior to the promulgation of NRO. Among other reasons, it's this quest for safety that has prompted him to become President. That way he will have constitutional indemnity in all court cases. The recent restoration of some judges of the Sindh and Lahore High Courts under a fresh oath is an ingenious attempt to validate Musharraf's unconstitutional acts of 3rd Nov 2007. Be that as it may, the Zardari-led government must understand that only an independent judiciary can ensure the supremacy of the constitution and strengthening of democracy. Only they can protect human rights and ensure that rule of law is the touchstone of governance. -FAROOQ ZAMAN, Lahore, September 1.