KARACHI, March 10: The Sindh High Court Bar Association hoisted black flags on its office on Monday as part of the ‘black flag week’ to seek the reinstatement of deposed judges.
The lawyers’ association held a general body meeting before noon which was addressed by its president Rasheed A. Razvi, former president Akhtar Hussain, treasurer Sarwar Khan, Sindh Bar Council member Salahuddin Gandapur and Advocate Naheed Afzal.
As the members proceeded to hoist black flags, the inner doors to courtroom were shut and they went to the old annexe, which houses the writ branch besides the offices of law officers and the Sindh Bar Council. Policemen were present in strength but made no attempt to intercept the protesters. All except the main entrance to the courtroom premises were closed and proceedings continued uninterrupted.
Addressing the general body meeting, the speakers earlier welcomed ‘the Murree Declaration’ for the reinstatement of deposed judges.
SHCBA president Rasheed A. Razvi congratulated the lawyers on their indefatigable efforts for the independence of the judiciary. The struggle would continue till the legal fraternity achieves its objective.
Mr Hussain called for greater unity among the lawyers’ ranks, which was essential for success.
Meanwhile, advocates Muzaffar Iqbal Soofi, Amir Niaz Khan and Mohammad Azam Khan observed a token hunger strike.
‘Impeach the president’
Meanwhile, the Karachi Bar Association urged the political parties that won the general election to impeach President Musharraf for his unconstitutional steps taken on November 3 and demanded punishment for him under Article 6 of the Constitution for suspending and making amendments to the constitution.
The demands were made through a resolution jointly moved by the KBA president and secretary-general at the general body meeting held at the Shuhda-i-Punjab Hall of the City Courts in connection with the ‘black flag week’, being observed to condemn and mark the first anniversary of the removal of deposed chief justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry.
The lawyers also lauded Sunday’s declaration adopted by the Pakistan People’s Party and Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) in Bhurban and expressed their gratitude to Asif Ali Zardari and Nawaz Sharif for showing their full commitment toward the restoration of the judiciary to its pre-emergency position.
KBA president Mahmoodul Hasan said: “We are very thankful to the PPP, the PML-N and the ANP for their support to restore the deposed judges within 30 days of the formation of the new government. But nevertheless we must be aware of any possible hurdle that the presidency may create in this regard. Now our struggle is against President Musharraf and he would be forced to step down.”
He moved another resolution demanding the removal of those judges who were appointed after the imposition of emergency in the country and said references should be sent to the Supreme Judicial Council against those judges who took an oath under the Provisional Constitution Order after the declaration of emergency by the former chief of the army staff in the country.
KBA secretary-general Naeem Qureshi said that if president was not impeached this time then any general could suspend, amend the constitution and derail democracy and the judiciary in future.
“We are very optimistic about the reinstatement of the deposed judges after the Bhurban declaration and now our slogan is ‘Go Musharraf go’ and our struggle against him would continue till his removal,” he said.
Advocate Nehal Hashmi presented a resolution which holds President Musharraf responsible for the dissolution of assemblies in 1999; arresting the former prime minister; breaking his military oath by taking part in politics; holding ‘fake’ elections in 2002; Lal Masjid operation; killing of Nawab Akbar Bugti; military operations in tribal areas; removing chief justice on March 9, 2007; media gags through Pemra ordinance; killing of the lawyers and Benazir Bhutto; May 12 mayhem that left 48 people killed; taking unconstitutional steps on November 3; ‘illegal detention’ of deposed judges, including Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, along with their families since November 3; confinement of Dr A.Q. Khan for the last four years; and handing over citizens to US authorities.
He urged the new parliament to impeach the president on these charges.
KBA vice-president Mushtaq Jahangiri, Shazia Mughal, Fateh Ali Shah, Karim Durrani, Bashir Ahmed, Mohammad Ali Abbasi and Sathi Ishaq also spoke. They said lawyers made their struggle historical by completing one year despite many obstacles and difficulties. They also paid tribute to those lawyers who sacrificed their lives during the ongoing struggle for the restoration of an independent judiciary, the rule of law and the supremacy of the constitution.
Rally & sit-in
After the general body meeting, lawyers took out a rally from the KBA office. Holding black flags during the rally, they raised slogans against Musharraf and marched on M.A. Jinnah Road. They staged a sit-in on the thoroughfare, suspending vehicular traffic for sometime. The protesting lawyers later dispersed peacefully.
Legal proceedings at the City Courts and Malir District Courts, meanwhile, remained suspended on Monday since the lawyers boycotted courts in response to a strike call given by Supreme Court Bar Association president Aitzaz Ahsan in connection with the black flag week.
Around 285 under-trial prisoners were brought to the City Courts lockup from different prisons of the city. But their cases could not be heard due to the lawyers’ strike and they were taken back to the prisons. However, the judges and other court staff remained in their chambers and offices.
Most stationery shops and cabins in the City Courts remained closed while the stamp vendors also shut their shops. However, canteens situated on the court premises remained open.
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