March 16, 2008	Sunday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 7, 1429

LAHORE, March 15: A lawyers’ convention on Saturday cautioned the sitting Supreme Court judges against teaming up with presidency in blocking the reinstatement of judges.

“If these (SC) judges want to become controversial, they should keep in mind the year-long movement against (President) Pervez Musharraf. If the lawyers can stand up against (President) Musharraf, why not against his hand-picked judges?” president of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan said.

Addressing lawyers from across the country at the Lahore High Court Bar Association, Mr Ahsan said the ‘Murree Declaration’ reflected the aspirations of the people and if Chief Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar and Malik Qayyum issued an order against it, the lawyers would foil the attempt.

He warned that if the declaration was subverted, the legal fraternity would respond with protest calls like the ‘long march’.

He said during the period, which the parliament had to take to reinstate judges, the lawyers would continue their campaign.

He said if need be, call for a shutter-down strike could also be given, adding that traders’ associations had assured him of their full support.

He said the lawyers did not want to launch any protest movement against the new government but if it failed to reinstate the deposed judges, the lawyers would have no other option.

Congratulating the legal fraternity for observing a successful ‘Black-Flag Week’, Mr Ahsan thanked the civil society, political parties and traders for joining it.

Former vice-chairman of the Pakistan Bar Council Ali Ahmad Kurd and present vice-chairman Mirza Aziz Akbar Baig also addressed the gatheirng.