12 January 2004	Monday	19 Ziqa'ad 1424

ISLAMABAD, Jan 11: A long march from Peshawar to Islamabad will be held on Monday by those lawyers who have been opposing amendment in the Constitution through the Legal Framework Order.

The march would start from the Peshawar High Court and reach Islamabad at around 3pm. The long march would likely to be joined by lawyers from Naushera and Attock.

The protesting lawyers have announced to hold convention in the offices of the Supreme Court Bar, located in the Supreme Court building. On last occasion, the Supreme Court administration had refused to give permission to lawyers to enter the court premises. The convention was held on road outside the building.

Supreme Court Bar Association President Tariq Mahmood told Dawn that lawyers believed that the country was still under the direct rule of a serving army general and there was no democracy in the country.

He said lawyers also believed that by facilitating the passage of the 17th amendment the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal had strengthened the hands of a military ruler. Tariq Mahmood said lawyers had withdrawn protest against the judiciary after the withdrawal of three-year extension in the services of judges.

He further said lawyers still believed that Gen Pervez Musharraf was not president of the country and had no power to amend the Constitution.