28 June 2004	Monday	09 Jamadi-ul-Awwal 1425

QUETTA, June 27: The Pakistan Bar Council and the Supreme Court Bar Association have said that there will be no rule of law and political stability in the country unless the army's involvement in politics and constitutional matters comes to an end.

Speaking to the Balochistan Bar members on Saturday, PBC vice-chairman Qazi Mohammad Anwar said that lawyers had always played a vital role in the struggle for the constitutional and democratic rights of people.

He said that lawyers' bodies would also fulfil their responsibilities in future. He held undemocratic forces responsible for the prevailing lawlessness, bad governance, corruption, deprivation, unemployment, and price-hike. He said rulers and army generals must recognize that unrealistic approach to political issues would push the country to a serious crisis.

SCBA president Tariq Mahmood said that army officials had abandoned their real job of defending the country's frontiers and diverted their attention to political affairs. The generals, he added, were working to consolidate their power and isolating politicians and elected representatives.

He said that serving and retired military men had taken over all important posts in government departments. He alleged that corruption had permeated the rank and file of the military.

The SCBA chief declared that bar associations and the PBC would continue their struggle against the military dictatorship to strengthen democracy and rule of law and for supremacy of parliament and judiciary.

DEMONSTRATION: The National Party staged a demonstration in front of the press club here the other day in protest against the arrest of political activists in treason cases.

The leaders of the party said the arrests were aimed at forcing nationalists to give up opposing major projects in the province.

The protesters raised slogans against chief minister, the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal, political victimization, construction of big projects, establishment of cantonments, arrest of political workers and and registration of false cases against the opponents of the government.

A procession led by NP Secretary-General Mir Hasil Bizenjo and Balochistan Assembly opposition leader Kachkol Baloch was taken out from the party's office marched on the Jinnah Road and culminated at the press club.

Speaking to the protesters, Hasil Bizenjo alleged that the provincial government was working against the interest of the Baloch to appease the rulers in Islamabad. He said registration of false treason cases against the nationalists at the behest of military rulers was aimed at pressuring the patriotic political groups of Balochistan.

Kachkol Baloch said that although the president talked about enlightenment, moderation, civil rights and constitutional rule, all his policies were against fundamental rights and democratic values. He said a dictator could never become a democrat.

He said believers of democracy respected the verdict of people while the military ruler was attempting to isolate the genuine leadership. He said the National Party and other nationalist groups would not abandon their struggle for the national rights for the Baloch.

MPAs Rehmat Ali Baloch and Jan Mohammad Buledi, Tahir Bizenjo, Dr Ishaque Baloch and Khair Jan Baloch of the Baloch Students Organization also spoke.