KARACHI, April 17: A Hong Kong-based rights groups on Tuesday supported the struggle of the Pakistan Bar Council saying that it supports all those who are taking risks while openly defying the military regime and urged the professional bodies to join in the efforts for the supremacy of judiciary.

“Their struggle deserves the support of everyone throughout the world who cares for democracy and the rule of law. Their loss will not only result in the extinction of what is left of the democratic constitutional and legal framework of Pakistan but also have a colossal demoralizing effect on the people of the country as well as neighbouring countries,” said the Asian Human Rights Commission.

It referred to the Supreme Court Bar Association’s warning that General Musharraf appeared to be trying to ‘drive the country towards civil war just to perpetuate his rule.’ Referring to certain violent confrontations, the SCBA had stated this was ‘an attempt by the general to create chaos in the country, resulting in civil war which will justify the imposition of emergency in the country.’

The active resistance put up by lawyers supporting the now ‘non-functional’ Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry is spearheading the struggle for the very survival of constitutionalism, independence of the judiciary, democracy and human rights in Pakistan, it said.

“All these institutions are not just under threat but are facing possible extinction under the massive attacks of the military regime of General Musharraf. The lawyers and many others who support them are today at the forefront of a struggle and their victory is essential if totalitarianism is not to submerge the country completely,” the AHRC statement added.

It said the military regime of General Musharraf had gone a long way towards destroying the very fabric of the rule of law and democracy. “Having come to power utilizing the popular dissatisfaction with an elected government due to its abuse of power and corruption, the Musharraf regime has increased such abuse of power and corruption a thousand-fold,” it said.