LAHORE: The slogan “Go Nawaz Go” disrupted the proceedings of a multi-party conference organised by the Lahore High Court Bar Association on Wednesday.

However, the heckling by a group of lawyers affiliated to the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf was not welcomed by most of the participants and prompted the bar leadership to snub those chanting the slogan outside the conference hall.

The sloganeering erupted as PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi approached his car after addressing the conference.

The bar leaders were of the opinion that it was a non-partisan gathering and sloganeering against a particular political party was unethical.

LHCBA conference disrupted by ‘Go Nawaz Go’ slogan

The conference called for resolution of the political impasse before Eidul Azha.

Besides leaders of different bar associations, political leaders – Raja Zafarul Haq of the PML-N, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Rehman Malik of the PPP, Haider Abbas Rizvi of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, Asadullah Bhutto of Jamaat-i-Islami and Khurram Nawaz Gandapur of the Pakistan Awami Tehreek – addressed the conference.

All the leaders stressed the need for rule of law and enforcement of political justice and for a dialogue-based way out of sit-ins in Islamabad.

Mr Qureshi said the PTI believed in supremacy of the constitution and did not want to derail democracy. He said his party was doing political and non-violent struggle for ‘real democracy’ in the country, adding that holding protest was a constitutional right of every citizen.

He said his party would be the first to oppose and resist any move to wrap up the democratic system, alleging that it was the government, and not the PTI, which had hampered the dialogue process and resorted to violence.

“Go Nawaz Go” was no more a PTI slogan only but had become a voice of the nation, he said.

Rehman Malik said the political jirga would resume the dialogue with the PTI and PAT after holding a meeting with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. He said the PPP would continue to play its democratic role for the stability of the country.

He regretted the defiance of court’s orders and absence of rule of law and said injustice led to disobedience in society.

Raja Zafarul Haq said the political system was not favourable for the middle class; it suited capitalists and feudalists. He said he did not agree with the notion that uninterrupted holding of elections would lead to prosperity.

He said the system could not be refined unless the middle class was represented in parliament, adding that there was an absence of basic moral values among political leaders.

Haider Abbas Rizvi was of the opinion that feudal class did not let social justice flourish in the country, adding that politics of dynasty still existed and democracy was under the control of the rich. He regretted that it was a tragedy that 98 per cent people were being ruled by the two per cent rich.

Mr Rizvi said that 45 workers of his party had been missing for a year and people were talking about human rights. People would end “democracy of feudalists” to purify the system, he warned.

Khurram Nawaz Gandapur said democracy ensured welfare of the people, but in Pakistan it had been used against its own citizens. He said it was regrettable that the victims of the Model Town incident were still waiting for justice. “The real objectives of democracy cannot be achieved under the prevailing circumstances.”

LHCBA President Shafqat Chohan read out a joint declaration at the end of the conference. He urged the government and the protesting parties to end the political deadlock before Eidul Azha. He called upon all stakeholders to let the participants of sit-ins celebrate Eid at their homes.

Mr Chohan said the Election Commission should be independent and non-partisan and elections should be held a fair manner. “Any unconstitutional move will be challenged and resisted.”

He urged the government to withdraw the recent increase in power tariff.

Published in Dawn, October 2nd, 2014