He also hailed the media's role in the movement to restore judges deposed in 2007 by former military ruler Pervez Musharraf.
Chaudhry's retirement ended an era of aggressive judicial activism that even led to the resignation of Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, who was forced to quit after he refused to act on the Supreme Court's orders to reopen graft charges against then President Asif Ali Zardari.
The top judge was credited with making the judiciary a strong pillar and he was feared by politicians and bureaucrats.
Chaudhry built a reputation for himself through direct confrontation with the civilian government and the powerful military.
He believes his legacy will continue even after he departs from the Supreme Court.
Born in Quetta on December 12, 1948, Chaudhry is the longest serving Chief Justice in Pakistan's history.
He was appointed in June 2005 but remained dysfunctional from November 2007 to March 2009.
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