April 01, 2007	Sunday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 12, 1428

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CHAKWAL, March 31: Lawyers here on Saturday observed an hour’s strike and vowed to continue their struggle till the restoration of suspended Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry.

Member Punjab Bar Council Hassan Raza Pasha said the lawyers would observe strike on every Thursday to express solidarity with Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry.

Meanwhile, MMA leader Liaquat Baloch has said the Supreme Judicial Council has become controversial and the presidential reference against the chief justice is based on mala fide intentions.

Speaking at a press conference here on Saturday, he demanded an apology from General Pervez Musharraf for what he said his illegal act of suspending the country’s top judge. He said the president should resign forthwith to pave the way for holding free, fair and transparent elections under an interim government.

He said there was unrest in the country; law and order was deteriorating and the government was implementing American agenda putting the federation at stake.

He advised PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto not to criticise the MMA and should become part of the opposition.

He said his party had a long charge-sheet against the PPP but was not taking any action on it as it would benefit the dictatorial rule of General Musharraf.

In reply to a question, the MMA leader said if President Musharraf tried to get himself elected from the present assemblies it would not only be unlawful but would also result in his own downfall.

Man gets death term: Additional District and Sessions Judge Mohammad Akram Awan awarded life imprisonment to a man in a murder case on Saturday.

He was also fined Rs100,000, and in case he failed to pay the amount he would have to undergo another six months’ imprisonment.

According to the prosecution, Shahid Ejaz had shot dead his friend Noman Raza in the

jurisdiction of the Dhuman police over a petty dispute a year ago.

Meanwhile, Senior Civil Judge Abdul Rahim awarded three years’ imprisonment and a fine of Rs30,000 to one Jahan Khan for giving a fake cheque to someone.