08 August 2004	Sunday	21 Jamadi-us-Saani 1425

LAHORE, Aug 7: Seven officials of the Punjab Bar Council (PBC) have opposed the proposed amendment to defamation law. In a joint statement on Saturday, PBC vice-chairman Tanveerur Rahman Randhawa, executive committee chairman Pir Masood Chishti, members Rao Jameel , Tahir Mahmood Mufti, Anwarul Haq Pannu, Talib Husain Chattha and former vice-chairman Arif Chaudhry said the amendment was a violation of the basic human rights.

They said the lawyers community would not allow the government to enforce such black laws which were against the constitution.

They also appealed to all lawyers associations in the province to hoist black flags atop Bar buildings and wear black armbands while appearing in courts on August 10. They should also hold meetings to adopt resolutions against the government move of curbing the independence of Bar councils by empowering judges of the superior courts to take disciplinary action against lawyers.

They also offered condolences to PBC former member Rao Kunwar Saeed on the death of his son, and to the family of Narowal DPO.