=> LAHORE: Political parties, civil society organisat
LAHORE: Political parties, civil society organisations and lawyers announced marking the International Human Rights Day as Black Day on December 10. The move was initiated in a seminar on “Campaign for Restoration of Democracy and Rule of Law in Pakistan” held under the auspices of various human rights organisations at the Lahore Press Club on Wednesday.
Lawyers, political leaders, human rights activists, students and people from different sections of society participated in the event. The prominent names, who spoke on the occasion, included Human Rights Commission of Pakistan Chairperson Asma Jahangir, PML-N leader Kh Saad Rafique, National Workers Party Abid Hassan Minto, Awami Tehreek leader Rasool Bux Palejo, Awami National Party Ehsan Wyne, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Javed Iqbal, Imtiaz Alam of SAFMA, PUJ President Arif Hameed Bhatti, Ameer-ul-Azeem from Jamaat-e-Islami, Tamer-e-Millat Foundation representative Dr Rabia, Lahore Bar Association leader Sarfraz Ahmad Cheema, Labour Party General Secretary Farooq Tariq, Neelam Hussain of Women Action Forum and a female student leader Sundas.
The participants also announced the boycott of the election till the state of emergency and curbs against the media and the judiciary were lifted.
Saad Rafique said all sections of the society should focus on ending the military rule from the country and restoration of the judiciary. He said political leaderships should focus on the real issues instead of doubting and blaming each other for the situation.
Minto predicted the start of a public movement for the restoration of the democracy and the law in the country as soon as the APDM and the PPP took the decision to boycott the upcoming general elections.
Rasool Bux Palejo said restoration of the judiciary was more important than the removal of Musharraf and everyone should focus on genuine issues instead of diverting their focus. He also suggested that all political parties should invite Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Ch to mark the international day on December 10.
Asma Jahangir vowed to continue the civil society’s struggle for the restoration of the judiciary and promised to resume activities even if the PPP or the PML-N went for the elections.
Source: The News
Date:12/6/2007
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