KARACHI, June 21: Carrying portraits of Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry and placards inscribed with slogans against his suspension, a large number of lawyers on Thursday took to the streets of the city and blocked M. A. Jinnah Road for about half an hour.

They also staged a sit-in during which their leaders made speeches and demanded reinstatement of the CJ, restoration of the independence of the judiciary and an end to the ‘military dictatorship’.

Earlier, responding positively to their fraternity’s call for a complete boycott of court proceedings, no lawyer appeared before any court although judges did remain present in their chambers. The situation at the Sindh High Court, the City Courts and the Malir District Court was the same. Shops and vending kiosks on the premises of the courts remained closed whereas under-trial prisoners were also not brought to the courts.

In the morning, the Karachi Bar Association held its general body meeting at the City Courts. Speaking on the occasion, KBA General-Secretary Naeem Qureshi, Abdul Hafeez Baloch, Naheed Afzaal and Waqar Shah condemned the government for submitting references against PTI chief Imran Khan in the Elections Commission, and argued that Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution invoked in his case should be applicable to all legislators.

Mr Qureshi claimed that Mr Khan was being victimised for his active support to the lawyers’ campaign.

Criticising the ruling clique for using the constitutional provisions against its opponents, he said compliance of the Constitution was mandatory upon all citizens and its provisions relating to legislators were applicable to members of the assemblies. He claimed that if certain articles of the Constitution were invoked against all legislators, most of them would lose their seats.

Accusing the government of having resorted to discrimination, he pointed out that many members of the treasury benches were also facing National Accountability Bureau (NAB) references still they were sitting in the house.

Mr Naheed Afzaal said that General Pervez Musharraf was holding both the top offices that gave him sweeping powers to overcome any crisis and resolve any problem but it seemed that he was not serious about taking up such jobs.

He said the government’s indifference towards the pressing problems of rising prices, excessive power load-shedding, unemployment, lawlessness, etc., coupled with the rampant exploitation and injustices on the part of the rulers, was inviting popular uprising which might end up in a revolution.

Abdul Hafeez Baloch, a member of the KBA managing committee, condemned continued attacks on religious schools in Waziristan and other northern areas of the country and termed them a barbaric act against innocent people.

Waqar Shah condemned certain retired army generals for supporting the government moves against the CJ. He also regretted that some retired judges were also backing the unconstitutional moves.

On the Sindh High Court premises, The Sindh High Court Bar Association (SHCBA) held a meeting which was addressed by the bar’s President Abrar Hasan and other members.