January 14, 2008	Monday	Muharram 04, 1429

ATTOCK, Jan 13: Lawyers have condemned the “house arrest” of Justice Rana Bhagwandas and issuance of eviction notice to deposed chief justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry.

In a joint statement issued here on Sunday, senior lawyers including District Bar Association (DBA) Attock president Rana Afsar Ali Khan, former president Sadaqat Ali Khan, Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) member Sheikh Ahsanuddin and Sheikh Waqar Azeem Saddique termed both acts contempt of judiciary and system of justice.

They said the rulers wanted to suppress the truth by silencing the Supreme Court’s deposed judge.

Pointing out that the lawyers’ struggle in the aftermath of March 9, 2007, actions was exemplary, they emphasised that the lawyers had not launched the movement for personal gains as the prime objective was the restoration of the judiciary.

They described the deposed chief justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry as the hero of the whole episode and said he was punished for protecting human rights and providing justice to the poor people.

They said lawyers should not lose heart if their movement had prolonged because of a delay in polls.