September 07, 2007	Friday	Sha'aban 24, 1428

ATTOCK, Sept 6: Lawyers of the district observed complete strike on the call of the Punjab Bar Council to start the second phase of their struggle against military ruler in the country.

The lawyers did not attend court proceedings here on Thursday.

While talking to the media, President District Bar Association Attock Rana Afsar Ali Khan, member Supreme Court Bar Association Sheikh Ahsanuddin and other lawyers said that the legal fraternity would continue its struggle as the reinstatement of the chief justice of Pakistan was the first phase of their struggle.

“And now,” they said, “the next phase of the endless struggle under the slogan of ‘Go Musharraf go’ would culminate with the elimination of military dictatorship in the country.”

They asked the government to send the army back to the barracks in the best national interests, otherwise, they warned, the lawyers would achieve this objective with the support of pro- democratic forces and civil society organisations.

They termed the reinstatement of the chief justice a historic victory and supremacy of the Constitution, which provided the nation a ray of hope.

It was a remarkable verdict, which buried the ‘doctrine of necessity’ once and for all, they said and commended the role- played by the civil society, media and political parties in this regard.

The lawyers hoped that the judicial activism demonstrated by the apex court would continue.

“Federation is in danger due to prevailing critical situation in Baluchistan and tribal areas of the NWFP. And the suicide attacks in the country are due to the unwise policies of rulers,” they said.

Instead of creating further confrontation, they said, the rulers should realise the situation and hold free and fair elections in the country without any further delay as it was the only way to take the country out of the current crises.