September 28, 2007	Friday	Ramazan 15, 1428

SWABI, Sept 27: The Swabi Bar Council observed a complete strike on Thursday against the filing of nomination papers by Gen Pervez Musharraf for the upcoming presidential election.

Members of the bar marched towards the Kernel Sher Chowk where they were addressed by their president Iftikhar Khan and general secretary Changaiz Khan. The bar leaders said the legal fraternity would strive for rule of law.

Changaiz Khan said that Gen Pervez Musharraf should quit the posts of president and army chief immediately in the best interest of the country. He said the rulers should have respect for the Constitution if they were really interested in serving the country.

He remarked: “We would abide by the action committee in future and whatever call given by it would be upheld.

“The doctrine of necessity has been buried by the judiciary. The role of the judiciary has assumed an added importance in the wake of the prevailing political crisis. People are looking towards it (for guidance).”

KOHAT: Lawyers boycotted court proceedings against the filing of nominations papers of Gen Pervez Musharraf.

They also took out a protest demonstration from the courts up to the bazaar. Prominent among those who participated in the protest and delivered speeches were president of the Kohat Bar Association Abdur Rauf, Nadir Khan and former MPA Aurangzeb advocate.

They said they would win the constitutional battle by defeating a general. They exhorted the general to step down in the best interest of the country because “his desire to remain in power forever had created serious political, internal and international crises”.

They alleged that the general and his cronies were pushing the country towards a civil war which could have serious repercussions.

They said they would participate in the protest meeting to be held on September 29 in Islamabad.

MARDAN: District Bar Association Mardan boycotted all court proceedings and held a protest demonstration to show their disapproval over the filing of nomination papers by President Gen Pervez Musharraf.

Iqbal Khan Hoti, Abdul Ahad Khan and Khalid Mehmood advocate criticised Musharraf and said that he was responsible for all evils in the country. They rejected Pervez Musharraf as president and as army chief. They said they would not accept him as president.

They claimed that due to his wrong policies and decisions the country had seen more poverty, more foreign debt, more political unrest and disharmony.

Mr Hoti said that Musharraf was the worst dictator who the people would hold accountable for his deeds. He said the people were being denied their basic rights of free movement. He condemned the recent arrest of political workers.