TIMERGARA/SWABI: The lawyers on Wednesday protested the amendments made by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to Civil Procedure Code (CPC).

The Lower Dir District Bar Association in this regard held a meeting, where its president Jehan Bahadar Advocate, general secretary Hameed ur Rehman, and others said the legal fraternity won’t accept amendments to CPC. They said under the amended rules the complainants would now file appeals against the judgment of civil court in the high court instead of the sessions court. The speakers said the decision would put extra burden on the high courts and justice would be further delayed. They said the complainants too would spend more money in the shape of high court and lawyers’ fees.

The meeting demanded of the government to withdraw the changes.

Meanwhile, the lawyers belonging to different political parties gathered at Swabi Judicial Complex, Shahmansoor, from where they marched to Swabi-Jahangira Road and blocked it to traffic.

They alleged that the government had created problems for both the public and lawyers by passing these laws. They said the amendments made to CPC and the anti-narcotics law should be withdrawn.

Swabi District Bar Association president Daniyal Khan said the amendments should be declared unconstitutional and illegal, as these were against the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution.

Published in Dawn, December 5th, 2019