LAHORE, July 10: Even an improved participation of political workers in the rally the lawyers staged here on Thursday could not make up for the strength witnessed before the long march in several weekly rallies.

Though the participation of lawyers from the Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) had been more than usual in the backdrop of Supreme Court Bar Association president Aitzaz Ahsan’s presence, their number remained close to the workers of the political parties. The presence of activists of other groups as well as the NGOs has shrunk too.

The Joint Action Committee (JAC), the Women Action Forum (WAF) and students do not come to the rallies anymore. Three or four members of the group called Concerned Citizens of Pakistan (CCP), which first emerged in newspapers and television channels during the detention of Mr Ahsan, were present among the protesters.

Workers of PML-N, Jamaat-i-Islami, Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaaf, Pakhtoonkhawa Milli Awami Party, Mazdoor Kisan Communist Party and Khaksar Tehrik were present with their party flags. Gathered under the banner of the Lahore Bar Association, they walked past the General Post Office (GPO) crossing, where they were set to join lawyers from LHCBA.

The participants of the two rallies, one from Aiwan-i-Adl and the other from the LHC, joined each other in front of the Panorama Centre. Later, they gathered in front of the Punjab Assembly building and chanted slogans against President Pervez Musharraf. LBA secretary Latif Sarra wrestled with others in an attempt to stay in front of the lawyers and leaders of political parties to act as the stage secretary.

H e ended up pushing LHCBA president Anwar Kamal to a corner, inviting the attention of LHCBA secretary Rana Asadullah. Asad then pushed Mr Sarra to a side to make way for Mr Kamal.

Speaking on the occasion, JI naib amir Fareed Piracha said July 10 marked the massacre of innocent students of the Lal Masjid in Islamabad.

“We will avenge the killings. The army chief should court-martial the then corps commander of Rawalpindi,” he said.

Several other political figures also spoke on the occasion and sought ouster of Pervez Musharraf. The participants dispersed peacefully after the speeches and chanted slogans against what they called the PCO-judges in front of the judges’ gate of the LHC on their way back.

Earlier, addressing the Lahore bar, JI amir Qazi Husain Ahmed said Pervez Musharraf was patronising the separatist and anti-state activities of the MQM. He added the PPP's proposed constitutional package was aimed at providing indemnity to the unconstitutional acts of Nov 3, 2007, which could itself be called treason.

He said the long march remained successful but some elements tried to frustrate the masses about its unexpected culmination.

Qazi Husain said lawyers suffered badly but they kept their movement alive for which they deserved appreciation.

He lamented that Mian Nawaz Sharif approved increasing Supreme Court judges strength to 29.