LAHORE: The Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) has announced it will oppose any unconstitutional move by the federal government for the imposition of “governor rule” in Sindh.

A statement issued by the bar’s president Sardar Akbar Ali Dogar and other office-bearers on Friday condemned the government’s intention to impose governor rule in Sindh on the basis of allegations of horse trading.

The bar issued the statement in the backdrop of Interior Minster Sheikh Rashid moving a summary for imposition of governor rule in the province being ruled by the opposition PPP. However, the minister later said in a press conference at Islamabad that the premier had taken no decision in this regard so far.

The LHCBA officials maintain that the unverified allegations of horse trading do not provide any sufficient ground for the imposition of governor rule in Sindh. They say the proclamation of the governor rule amid an already volatile political situation in the country would not only be a disastrous step, but also be a blatant violation of democratic process.

“The LHCBA is of the opinion that under on the pretext of the no-confidence motion, which is purely a democratic and constitutional right [of the opposition], any step leading to imposition of governor rule shall increase political polarisation and will become the ultimate cause of destabilisation in the country,” the statement adds.

The bar leaders have urged Prime Minister Imran Khan to remain careful and vigilant of his “imprudent” aides who have dragged him into the present situation. They say the whole legal fraternity will strongly agitate and resist any “undemocratic move”, if made by the government.

Published in Dawn, March 19th, 2022