The heroes in today's Pakistan are not the returning former prime ministers -- Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif -- but the Supreme Court and High Court judges who refused to accept Gen. Musharraf's emergency law putting the Constitution in abeyance. When asked to take a new oath pledging to uphold his "Provisional Constitutional Order," they simply said no. While politicians Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif are making deals with Musharraf to get back into power, these judges are putting principle over power. They may have lost their seats on the bench, but they have won the hearts of millions of Pakistanis.

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Arriving at the judge's home, the activists -- an odd assortment of students, small businessmen, accountants and journalists -- ceremoniously carpeted the entrance with rose petals. Armed with bouquets of flowers, they crammed into the judge's living room. One by one, as the judges arrived, the group gave them a standing ovation. In all, 13 judges appeared. "It was thrilling to be in their presence," said journalist Nadira Sheralam. "We are so used to a tarnished image of judges throughout our history who have sold out to military regimes and corrupt governments. Here was a group of judges who were putting the interest of the nation above their self-interest. I couldn't believe my eyes."