LAHORE, Sept 5: Representatives of lawyers on Wednesday said they would boycott courts across the country on Thursday (today) and stage rallies to oust Gen Pervez Musharraf and restore democracy.

The decision was announced by the office-bearers and representatives of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), the Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) and the Lahore District Bar Association (LDBA) at a press conference at the SCBA office.

Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) Chairperson Asma Jehangir and Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) member Ramzan Chaudhry were also present.

The protest was not against any political party, explained Ramzan Chaudhry, contradicting the SCBA’s earlier warning to the Pakistan People’s Party against talks on a power-sharing arrangement with the government.

Confrontation with a political party hinged on the nature of the ‘deal’ with the government, the SCBA Secretary Zulfiqar Bukhari said to a question. The lawyers would give an appropriate response if the ‘deal’ betrayed the aspirations of the people, he added.

The lawyers would wear black armbands, boycott court proceedings after 10.30am and take out a rally in accordance with the call issued by the National Action Committee of lawyers on Aug 2.

“We will take out a rally from Aiwan-i-Adl after the General House meeting,” LDBA President Syed Mohammad Shah said.

He said he would like the rally to conclude either in front of the Lahore High Court building or the Punjab Assembly but the final decision regarding its route rested with the General House. — Reporter