September 25, 2003	Thursday	Rajab 27, 1424

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ISLAMABAD, Sept 24: Supreme Court Bar Association President Hamid Khan has said that the lawyers community will organize a long march from Lahore to Islamabad for the revival of 1973 Constitution.

He said they were not hopeful of any breakthrough on the issue of the Legal Framework Order (LFO).

Speaking at a press conference here, the SCBA chief said the lawyers would organize the long march on Oct 13, from Lahore to Islamabad, and hold Lawyers Convention on Oct 14 at the Supreme Court building.

He said if the lawyers were stopped from entering into the Supreme Court building, they would hold the convention outside the court.

Mr Khan said the Bar of the country was adamant that the judiciary had ceased to be an independent institution, and raising any matter of constitutional importance would be a futile exercise.

He said the Bar was of the opinion that three-year extension to the judges was given for their services to the military government, and the judges should return the “dubious gift”.

The SCBA chief said holding of negotiations with President Gen Pervez Musharraf was useless as he would like to maintain parliament as a ceremonial body, and keep all the powers to himself.

Mr Khan said the lawyers stood united in their struggle against the LFO, and the government despite its efforts could not create fissures within their ranks.

The SCBA president said the Bar had nothing personal against any judge or any other personality, and was only struggling for the revival of 1973 Constitution.