Black coats, political workers march for judiciary restoration
LAHORE – City lawyers on Friday along with political workers, students, doctors, civil society activists and traders held a protest rally against what they call the darkest day of Pakistan’s history when on November 3 a military dictator had removed more than 60 judges to prolong his illegitimate regime.
The protesters marched all the way from Aiwan-e-Adl to Faisal Chowk where they staged a sit-in, burned President Musharraf’s effigy and beat their chest.
Protesters were holding portraits of Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and detained president of Supreme Court Bar Association Ch Aitzaz Ahsan.
They were also holding placards and banners inscribed with their demands for restoration of all deposed judges and were sloganeering in favour of them and against President Gen (r) Pervez Musharraf and his cronies.
The air was echoed with ‘Go Musharraf Go, ‘Down With Musharraf’, ‘We Want Freedom’, ‘Restore Our JudgesÂ’ and ‘Chief Tere Janisar Beshumar, Beshumar’.
A banner was read as ‘Musharraf Don’t Deter lawyers’, You Know We Are Followers of Jinnah’.
Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan along with considerable number of his party workers, human rights activists Asma Jahangir, Hina Jilani, Shahtaj Qazalbash and Zarish, Pakistan Medical Association President Dr Zahid Mohiuddin, PML-N-elect MPA Saeed Elahi, activists of Jamat-e-Islami, Labour Party, Khaksar Tehrik, Judicial Activism Panel under the leadership of Muhammad Azhar Siddique, Communist Mazdoor Kisan Party and Academic Staff Association Punjab University Students Action Committee joined the rally.
JI and PTI activists were holding their party flags, however, they remained shouting slogans for independence of judiciary.
As per directions of the SCBA, lawyers of the Lahore Bar Association and Lahore High Court Bar Association recited ‘Azaan-e-Nijaat’ at The Mall during their rally.
As per the schedule LBA lawyers started rally from Aiwan-e-Adl courts that joined LHCBA lawyers at GPO chowk. A combined rally then proceeded towards the Punjab Assembly Chambers.
In front of Panorama Shopping Centre some traders showered flowers on the protesters. Imran Khan also released pigeons to show that he was demanding peace and liberty.
Before taking out rallies, both the bars held their general house meetings. Addressing the protesters at the Faisal Chowk, Imran Khan said people wanted to see Pakistan a country as visualised by Allama Iqbal and Quaid-e-Azam. And that is only possible by way of restoring independent judiciary. He said he was ready to give his blood for the restoration of judges. He said he had no vested interests in lawyers’ movement but only wanted to take the country to a brighter future, he said.
He said only independent judiciary could ensure a real democracy in the country.
LBA president Manzoor, Advocate Raja Zulqarnain, Dr Zahid Muhiuddin, Hafiz Abur Rehman Ansari and Rana Abdul Shakoor also addressed the lawyers.
Source: The Nation
Date:3/1/2008
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