February 17, 2008	Sunday	Safar 09, 1429

LAHORE, Feb 16: International Union of Lawyers (IUL) member executive committee Don Ramon Oria Fernandez de Munain was not allowed to meet Supreme Court Bar Associaton president Aitzaz Ahsan detained at his Zaman Park residence.

Mr Fernandez met Mrs Bushra Aitzaz and informed her about the objectives of his visit and exchanged views on judiciary and the lawyers’ movement. He said the lawyers’ struggle in Pakistan had been recognised world over.

The judges and lawyers worldwide stood united with the lawyers and the deposed judges of Pakistan in their cause for the rule of law, he said. Mrs Aitzaz thanked him for his concern and visit to Pakistan.

Meanwhile, the IUL and the Punjab Bar Council (PbBC) have agreed to strengthen their relationship for the defence and freedom of lawyers, particularly in Pakistan.

ILU Executive Committee member Don Ramon Fernandez de Munain and PbBc Vice- Chairman Mohammad Aslam Sindhu announced this at a press conference here at council office on Saturday.

In a joint declaration, both leaders expressed their concern over the hardships being faced by lawyers in Pakistan and agreed to lend their support to them as well as the deposed judges.