March 22, 2007	Thursday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 2, 1428

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HYDERABAD, March 21: The government’s move to cool down enraged lawyers by deferring the Supreme Judicial Council’s session till April 3 could not make an impact as Sindh lawyers, like their colleagues in other provinces, continued protest through boycott of courts and hunger strikes on Wednesday amid strike in some cities.

In Hyderabad, more than a dozen lawyers observed token hunger strike outside the judicial complex under the aegis of Sindh Bar Council and DBA. The lawyers also kept off court proceedings.

President of the High Court Bar Association, Abdul Sattar Qazi, and others vowed to continue their protest till the reinstatement of ‘non-functional’ Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry.

LARKANA: Protesting action against the chief justice and brutalities against lawyers and journalists, the lawyers boycotted court proceedings and took to the roads amid a complete strike observed in Larkana.

Police were deployed at vital points in the city which also covered advocates procession. Four activists of Sindh People’s Students Federation received injuries in clashes with the police. Traffic remained suspended on all major routes of the district.

Carrying banners and placards and chanting slogans, a large number of lawyers were joined by the activists of different political parties who marched on the main roads of city and staged a sit-in at Pakistan Chowk.

The lawyers announced that they would arrange a reception in the high court and district bar associations of Larkana in honour of the judges who had resigned and award them medals for their courage and commitment to justice.

They also burnt black coats on the occasion.

The lawyers in Qambar and Shahdadkot district also boycotted the courts and took out a procession.

DADU: Members of the District Bar Association boycotted court proceedings to protest against President Musharraf's action against the CJP. The lawyers staged a march from the court complex to local press club. In Sanghar, lawyers boycotted the court proceedings for one hour.

In Khipro, lawyers took out a rally which marched on roads. Carrying placards and raising slogans for reinstatement of the CJP, they demanded that the reference against CJP should be withdrawn.

In Shahdadpur and Tando Adam also, lawyers boycotted the courts for an hour.

MITHI: The DBA members boycotted court proceedings, took out a rally and observed token hunger strike outside the press club.

Speaking on the occasion, the lawyers termed action against the chief justice unconstitutional and illegal.

SHIKARPUR: The lawyers of Shikarpur district observed token hunger strike and boycotted court proceedings. A large number of lawyers took out rallies on the premises of session court and Garhi Yasin civil court to express solidarity with the CJP.

KHAIRPUR: President of People’s Lawyers Forum, Sukkur region, Liaquat Shar, President DBA Khairpur Shafqat Mahessar, Secretary Asadullah Maitlo and others observed token hunger strike and boycotted court proceedings after 11am.

Earlier, the lawyers took out a rally from session court which marched on different roads and reached civic centre Chowk. They also raised slogans for supremacy of judiciary and in favour of non-functional Chief Justice.

NAUSHAHRO FEROZE: Lawyers in Naushahro Feroze, Moro, Bhirya and Kandiaro boycotted court proceedings. In Naushahro Feroze, lawyers led by Ghulam Mohammad Abbasi advocate took out a rally from district court building to press club.

MIRPURKHAS: Members of the DBA boycotted courts and observed token hunger strike. The lawyers also took out a rally from DBA office which was led by DBA President Salahuddin Panhwar. They carried banners and placards and shouted slogans against the government for its action against the chief justice.

NAWABSHAH: Members of the DBA boycotted court proceedings and took out a rally which started from sessions court and after passing on main roads returned to session court. They were carrying banners and placards and raised slogans against the government.

THATTA: The members of DBA with the activists of PPP, JSQM, STP and others took out a procession. Punhoon Uqaili, Lakhano Behrani and others spoke on the occasion.

JACOBABAD: On the call of lawyers, a shutter down strike was observed in Jacobabad and all the shops remained closed. Police also cordoned off the city to check any untoward incident. The lawyers boycotted court proceedings and took out a peaceful rally which started from DBA office.

BADIN: Partial strike was observed in Badin district on the call of lawyers. Shops in Badin, Golarchi, Tando Bago, Talhar, Matli and other parts remained partially closed.