August 28, 2008	Thursday	Sha'aban 25, 1429

ISLAMABAD, Aug 27: The legal fraternity is set to end a two-month hibernation on Thursday by launching a countrywide two-hour sit-ins to protest the government’s refusal to reinstate deposed judges.The lawyers’ premier body, the Pakistan Bar Council, had split recently after differences cropped up on plans to intensify agitation for the judges’ reinstatement. A influential bloc, led by Aitzaz Ahsan, broke ranks with the PBC after what it saw as its “half-heartedness” to carry on the lawyers’ struggle till all judges were restored. They later announced formation of a parallel body, National Coordination Council.

Accusing the PBC of deviating from the 17-month struggle, the NCC announced ‘dharna’ (sit-in) programmes across the country every Thursday from 12 noon to 2 pm, asking all bar associations to select a key point on an inter-city highway, inter-city road or in case of metropolitan cities the city-centre for a peaceful, non-violent ‘dharna’.

Bar associations that have offices on or close to the GT Road or the National Highway are required to stage sit-in on the highways.

Local traders and shopkeepers have also been requested to close their businesses during the two-hour protest. Ambulances, school vans and doctors will be exempt from the plan. According to the plan, the Islamabad Bar Association would plug the Zero Point from all four corners. The lawyers have been asked to gather at F-8 around 9 am and boycott court proceedings.

They will start marching towards Zero Point at 11 am and after reaching there they will close it from all sides.

A member of the association said that it had yet to be decided whether the lawyers would march towards the Constitution Avenue and the National Assembly. However, decision would be made during the sit-in.

An official of the city administration told Dawn that negotiations were in progress with representatives of the association to convince them not to stage sit-in at Zero Point as it would impede the entire flow of traffic in the capital.

In view of security threats, he said, the lawyers had been advised not to put their own lives as well as of law enforcers in danger.

Heavy contingents of police will deploy on Thursday at the district and sessions courts and Zero Point.

In Rawalpindi, the High Court Bar Association and the District Bar Association will stage sit-in on intersections at Pirwadhai Chowk, Liaquat Bagh, Kathcheri Chowk and Faizabad.