RAWALPINDI, March 8: Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) president Aitzaz Ahsan here on Saturday visited different markets asking traders to observe the ‘black flag week’ with lawyers in order to press the forthcoming government to restore the pre-November 3 judiciary.

Flanked by a good number of lawyers from the twin cities, Mr Ahsan started his visit from Liaquat Bagh at 1pm and went to College Road, China Market where the representatives of traders’ unions welcomed them. They assured the lawyers that the traders would extend full support to their struggle for independence of judiciary and rule of law in the country.

The SCBA president walked in the streets of the narrow bazaars where people greeted him. The traders resolved to observe the week by hoisting black flags on their shops and wearing black arm-bands.

The lawyers’ leader addressed a big gathering of traders and other people near Lal Haveli of former federal minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed. Thanking the traders and MNA-elect Hanif Abbasi, who also represented the business community, Mr Ahsan said though they had decided to hoist black flags at bars around the country but the participation of traders would be encouraging as an independent judiciary was desired by every Pakistani.

His procession then moved to Sarafa bazaar where the jewellers showed him a golden crown that they had prepared for the deposed chief justice of Pakistan Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry and say would be presented to him after his reinstatement.

Speaking on the occasion, Barrister Ahsan said though he believed in the sovereignty of parliament but it could not be possible without an independent judiciary. He said they had put off the idea of a long march to give more time to the new government for restoration of the judges. However, he added, if their demand was not met the intensity of the ongoing movement would increase.—Our Reporter