RAWALPINDI, July 11: Bar associations of the twin cities on Wednesday observed black day to protest the amendments to the contempt of court act and declared it against the spirit of the constitution.

The Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) of Rawalpindi and Islamabad High Court Bar Association (IHCBA) observed black day and complete strike to protest against the introduction of new amendments into the contempt of court act.

The Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) of Rawalpindi president Ahsanuddin Sheikh at a press conference said that the new act was against Quran and Sunnah and also in violation of the constitution and Objective Resolution.

He said that the previous contempt of court act of 2003 was a part of 17th Amendment through which all the acts from October 12, 1999 to December 31, 2003 were given a constitutional protection. So repealing the contempt of court act 2003 could not be done with simple majority rather it required 2/3rd majority.Advocate Sheikh said that immunity to the President is also against the spirit of Islam. AS the Objective Resolution has clearly mentioned that there will be no legislation against Quran and Sunnah, so the lawyers would challenge the immunity to the President in Supreme Court.

The LHCBA president also said that they would also challenge the newly introduced contempt of court act.

He claimed said that the amendment was aimed at granting immunity to the prime minister from appearing in the Supreme Court on July 12. He said that the known legal minds of the country like Fakhrauddin G Abrahim, Aitzaz Ahsan and Raza Rabbani had shown their reservations at this act and “we will file a petition against this act”.

The press conference was also attended by the representatives of the district bar association of Rawalpindi.

IHCBA also observed black day and strike and passed a resolution against the new contempt of court act. The general body meeting of the IHCBA declared the act an effort to protect few persons.

The lawyer’s of the twin-cities also staged protest rallies.

The legal fraternity of Taxila and Wah Cantt also observed complete strike and black day against the amendment to contempt of court act.

Acting on the call of Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) all the judicial work remained suspended and no lawyer appeared in the court. Taxila bar association President Syed Raza Abbass while addressing a meeting said the amendment was aimed at suppressing the independence of the judiciary and providing to shield the corrupt politicians.