HYDERABAD, Feb 21: Complete boycott of courts was observed by lawyers across Sindh on Thursday in response to the weekly boycott call of the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC). Lawyers didn’t appear before civil, session or high courts in support of their demand for reinstatement of deposed superior court judges.Lawyers in Hyderabad remained present in District Bar Room and judges in chambers. Lawyers didn’t pursue cases of their clients before civil or sessions courts and wore black armbands.

A black flag was hoisted on the District Bar Room by newly elected Vice President of High Court Bar Association (HCBA) Hyderabad Chapter Abdul Rehman Shaikh. A general body meeting was held in the Bar Room where lawyers condemned November 3,2007 Emergency imposed by President and sacking of judges of high and supreme courts, including Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry.

After conclusion of proceedings of general body meeting, lawyers took out a protest rally led by the Joint Secretary HCBA Ayaz Hussain Tunio. Protesting lawyers marched around Fatima Jinnah, Hyderabad Bux Jatoi roundabout before returning to civil courts building.

Raising slogans of “Musharraf hatao, mulk bachao (remove Musharraf, save Pakistan), lawyers said their struggle will continue till the reinstatement of judges. They also shouted slogans of “chief terey jaan’nisar, beshumar, beshumar.

Vice President Hyderabad District Bar Association Abdul Khaliq Leghari said lawyers will accelerate pace of their struggle for reinstatement of judges including Chief Justice throughout the country. He said lawyers would not rest in peace unless they get the Chief Justice reinstated and added the era of tyranny was about to end as days of rulers were numbered.

Abdul Sattar Kazi, Ayaz Hussain Tunio, Zahid Chohan, Mehmood Siddiqui, Nisar Durrani, Imran Malik, Sultan Sheikh and others also spoke on the occasion, stating if judges were not restored by March 9 then lawyers of the city were ready to participate in the long march for which a call had been given by Supreme Court Bar Association President Chaudhry Aitzaz Ahsan.

They said people of the country had given verdict against Musharraf and his allies. They added now President should tender his resignations. They vowed to oust the usurpers from Islamabad through their struggle.

In Sukkur, lawyers boycotted court proceedings, took out a procession and demonstrated outside the District and Session Court.

Addressing protesting lawyers, Sukkur District Bar Association President Qurban Ali Malano and others coming hard at the government demanded immediate release and restoration of all judges including Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhary. They vowed to continue their struggle till achieving logical goal.

A lawyer Ubaidullah Malano whose membership to District Bar Association was cancelled by the President DBA for his negative attitude towards fellow lawyers and journalists, attacked Qurban Ali Malano, injured him and fled. Later, Qurban Ali Malano was admitted to the Civil Hospital, Sukkur.

Lawyers of Sanghar district observed strike and boycotted court proceedings. In Khipro, Shahdadpur and Tando Adam, they also boycotted court proceedings. President DBA, Anwar Mehmood Nizamani said the struggle will continue till the restoration of judges and achievement of independence of judiciary.

In Mirpurkhas, lawyers completely boycotted court proceedings. A general body meeting of the DBA, presided over by President Salahuddin Panhwar condemned the detention of lawyers and judges.

Senior advocates Syed Qaseem Ahmed and S.M. Saleem demanded restoration of democracy and release of detained lawyers and judges.

Lawyers also boycotted court proceedings in Digri and Kot Ghulam Mohammad, Pithoro, Umerkot and Samaro.

In Nawabshah, lawyers boycotted court proceedings. General Secretary DBA, Ziaul Hassan Lanjar condemned the baton- charge and shelling of police on lawyers in Karachi and other parts of the country.