RAWALPINDI, Sept 11: Lawyers on Tuesday observed a complete boycott of the court proceedings in protest against the “disrespect” shown by the government to the verdict of Supreme Court (SC), the harassment of Sindh High Court judges by the workers and activists of a coalition partner of the government and killing of an anti-government lawyer.

The legal practitioners stayed away from the courts that presented the same picture as witnessed several times during their campaign for the chief justice.

The lawyers held a meeting of the District Bar Association’s (DBA’s) general body and condemned the deportation of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif despite the fact that the SC had allowed him to come to Pakistan and directed the federal and provincial governments not to hinder his return.

They also criticised the rulers of Saudi Arabia and Lebanon for meddling in the internal affairs of Pakistan. “We are the citizens of a sovereign state and will not allow anyone to undervalue our sovereignty,” they added.

They were of the view that the government should not have asked for foreign help just to stop the entry of a Pakistani national.

The lawyers condemned the cold-blooded murder of their colleague in Karachi and harassment of Sindh High Court judges on the occasion of May 12 case hearing on Monday. They termed it an attempt to influence the court proceedings to get a verdict that was in their favour.

Later, the lawyers protested at Kutchery Chowk and chanted anti-government slogans. They offered Ghaibana Namaz-i-Janaza of the murdered lawyer, Raja Riaz, who was buried at his ancestral village of Sohawa.

Meanwhile, hearing in 13 different cases against Maulana Abdul Aziz, the former chief cleric of Lal Masjid, was put off till September 25 by an anti-terrorism court.

The cleric was produced before Judge Habibur Rehman who adjourned the hearing.

About 50 male and female seminary students, who were present outside the courtroom, chanted slogans in favour of Maulana Aziz and vowed to continue their struggle for the enforcement of Islamic system.

Our Correspondent adds from Taxila: The lawyers’ community in Taxila, Wah Cantonment and Hassanabdal observed complete strike on Tuesday to protest against the deportation of Nawaz Sharif, virtual siege of the Sindh High Court (SHC) premises in Karachi and murder of a lawyer, who was a former Sindh High Court Bar Association president and active worker in the struggle for restoration of democracy.

The strike call was given by the National Action Committee (NAC) of the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) and the Supreme Court Bar Association on Monday.

Though the courts were open, no lawyer turned up for the proceedings. The lawyers vowed that they would not let President Pervez Musharraf to get himself re-elected for another term in the office.

They urged their colleagues to maintain unity among their ranks and press the rulers to fulfil their demands.

PPI adds: The lawyers of Islamabad Bar Association also boycotted the court proceedings on Tuesday.

They held peaceful meetings and demanded the Supreme Court to order the government to bring back Mian Nawaz Sharif to the country.They termed Mr Sharif’s deportation illegal, unconstitutional and a sheer violation of the apex court orders.