KARACHI, May 15: The legal fraternity on Thursday boycotted proceedings at the City Courts and District Courts Malir in response to a strike call given by the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) demanding restoration of the deposed judges.

The cases of various under-trial prisoners could not be heard due to the lawyers’ strike and they were taken back to their respective prisons. However, the judges remained in their chambers.

The lawyers criticised the government for asking the deposed judges of the high courts to take fresh oaths for their reinstatement and lauded the refusal of those judges in this regard.

Condemning the attitude of the Pakistan People’s Party towards the issue, they said that no constitutional package or amendment was required for the restoration of the judiciary to its pre-Nov 2 position. They argued that the Nov-3 steps of President Pervez Musharraf were unconstitutional and illegal, and the co-chairman of the PPP, Asif Ali Zardari, had also admitted the fact.

Speaking at a general body meeting of the Karachi Bar Association, held at the Shuhada-i-Punjab Hall of the City Courts, the lawyers alleged that some political elements wanted President Musharraf in power and were working for their own interests.

The KBA president, Mahmoodul Hasan, said that they would not accept any constitutional package or other formula for the reinstatement of the deposed judges adding that they would continue their ongoing struggle for the reinstatement of all the deposed judges, the rule of law and supremacy of the constitution.

Naheed Afzal advocate said that it was the lawyers’ movement which had forced President Pervez Musharraf to hold elections and quit as the army chief. He slammed the PPP for delaying the reinstatement of the deposed judges.

He appreciated the efforts of the PML-N chief, Nawaz Sharif, for his efforts made for the restoration of pre-PCO judiciary.

Naeem Qureshi alleged that the establishment and presidency were hatching a conspiracy to sabotage lawyers’ movement and trying to sideline Nawaz Sharif due to his anti-Musharraf and pro-judiciary approach, adding that the NRO had forced Asif Ali Zardari to recognise the PCO judges.