KARACHI, March 24: Four members of Sindh High Court Bar Association observed a token hunger strike on Saturday. Those who sat on hunger strike were Hamid Munir Awan, Khalil Qurshi, Syed Abdul Waheed and Mohammad Moshaffy.

The lawyers condemned the action against Chief Justice of Pakistan and termed it illegal and unconstitutional. They said it had brought a bad name to the country and would remain as black chapter in Pakistan’s history. They pledged to continue their struggle till the judiciary was truly independent and democratic institutions functioning freely. The asked the lawyers to remain united for pressing their demands.

Ten members of Karachi Bar Association (KBA) observed a token hunger strike. The lawyers also boycotted court proceedings from 10.30am to 11.30am.

Those who sat on hunger strike were: Member Pakistan Bar Council Mohammad Ali Abbasi, Member Sindh Bar Council Mehmood-ul-Hasan, former KBA general secretaries Nadim Qureshi and Khalid Mumtaz, former vice president Yousuf Mulvi, former joint secretary Manzoor Hameed, former treasurer Hakim Ali Sheikh, KBA members Jan Alam, Abdul Khaliq Sheikh and Mubashir Ahmed.

The lawyers took out a procession and blocked MA Jinnah Road for 45 minutes. They shouted slogans against the government and assured support to CJP. They pledged to block the road continuously till the acceptance of their demands.

Earlier, a KBA general body meeting was held in the city courts premises which was addressed by President Sindh High Court Bar Association Abrar Hasan, member Pakistan Bar Council Hamid Khan, Vice Chairman Sindh Bar Council Mohammad Amin Lakhani, President KBA Iftikhar Javed Qazi, and General Secretary Naeem Qureshi.

The KBA will decide its next line of action on Monday. The chief of Pakistan Tehrik Insaf Imran Khan will address lawyers at city courts on Monday. The KBA decided to observe a complete strike on April 3.