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MULTAN, Feb 2: Six members of the Punjab Bar Council (PBC), belonging to Multan, have rejected the Anti-Terrorism Ordinance (amended) 2002, saying it will paralyse the judicial system of the country.
In a statement issued here on Saturday, PBC members Habibullah Shakir, Muhammad Arif Alvi, Dil Muhammad Khan Alizai, Tahir Mahmood Mufti, Sardar Ghulam Abbas and Javed Hashmi demanded that the ordinance should be repealed as it was against the rulings of the Supreme Court.
They challenged the government claim that the set up of the anti-terrorism courts (ATCs) under the new ordinance would give a sense of security to the witnesses in the presence of a military officer.
They said that it was the duty of government to provide security to the witnesses. “It seems highly ridiculous that a colonel and a magistrate will sit with a high court or sessions judge.”
They said that the lawyers had opposed establishment of anti-terrorism courts in 1975 and 1997. They said that lawlessness and terrorism in the country were owing to the unjust social, economic and political structure of the state.
FAISALABAD: The local district bar association observed a complete strike on Saturday in protest against the government decision to include army officers in anti-terrorism courts.
The DBA meeting, held under the chair of its president Muhammad Rafiq Batalvi, termed the decision a clear violation of the constitution and interference in judiciary.
The meeting also decided to raise its voice on all forums against the establishment of anti-terrorism courts.
It warned the government that the lawyers community would resist strongly if it did not withdraw the decision immediately.
Meanwhile, almost all lawyers’ organizations, including the Peoples Lawyers Forum, Muslim League Lawyers Forum and local Young Lawyers Association, condemned the decision, adding the government wanted to serve its own ends.
When contacted, office-holders of these bodies said almost all the previous governments had tried to intervene in the judiciary, but failed to achieve their nefarious designs.
It may be mentioned that president Pervez Musharraf has promulgated an amended ordinance titled as Anti-Terrorist (Amendment) Ordinance, 2002. It provides that a three-member anti-terrorism court will comprise a judge, a magistrate and a military officer not below the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
The military rulers have taken this step on the plea that the existing anti-terrorism courts are not working satisfactorily.
GUJRANWALA: The members of the District Bar Association observed complete strike on Saturday to protest against the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Ordinance 2002, on the call of the Pakistan and Punjab Bar councils.
The lawyers, at an emergent meeting presided over by DBA president Mian Maqsood Ahmad, demanded through an unanimous resolution that the ordinance should be repealed immediately.
They categorically said that no member of the Bar would appear before the three-member anti-terrorism court.
The meeting also decided that all lawyers would wear black armband from Monday to express their resentment against the new ordinance.
The strike was also observed in Sahiwal, Okara and other parts of the Punjab.
