KARACHI, Nov 8: Representatives of leftist, progressive and democratic parties and groups, the lawyers’ community, professional bodies and trade unions, writers and human rights activists have strongly condemned the imposition of a state of emergency, the promulgation of the Provisional Constitution Order (PCO) and the suspension of fundamental human rights.

This has been spelt out in a resolution adopted after consultations and thorough discussions of all aspects of the situation arising out of the imposition of emergency by Gen Pervez Musharraf in his capacity as chief of the army staff.

The details of the resolution were given at a news conference addressed by the representatives of the aforementioned groups at the Karachi Press Club on Thursday. Advocate Akhtar Hussain, while strongly condemning the imposition of emergency, promulgation of the PCO, suspension of fundamental rights and the dismantling of the entire structure of the judiciary, said the leftist parties regarded these steps as illegal and unconstitutional.

These steps, he said, amounted to a virtual abrogation of the Constitution and imposition of martial law, an act of high treason under Article 6 of the Constitution of Pakistan.

The resolution strongly condemned the countrywide arrests and brutal treatment meted out by the police and other law-enforcing agencies to lawyers, journalists and other protesting citizens. They also expressed gratitude to and solidarity with the honourable judges of the Supreme Court and high courts who refused to take an oath under the PCO and the members of the larger bench of the Supreme Court who declared the proclamation of emergency and imposition of the PCO as ultra vires, illegal and unconstitutional. They also appealed to the people to boycott the judges who took “the illegal oath.”

The resolution also saluted “the lawyers’ community and the electronic and print media for their glorious contributions and sacrifices in resisting the illegal and unconstitutional measures taken by the chief of the army staff.”

“We deeply appreciate the expression of sympathy and solidarity by various international organizations and governments with the people of Pakistan by condemning the illegal and unconstitutional steps taken by the chief of the army staff,” the resolution said.

While wholeheartedly supporting the ongoing countrywide resistance movement, it appealed to all the democratic political parties of the country and all sections of the people of Pakistan to set aside their differences and join this movement for immediate lifting of the emergency and repeal of the PCO.

The resolution also called for full reversal of all steps taken by the army chief and the government after the proclamation of emergency and restoration of the status of the Supreme Court and high courts to their positions as on Nov 3, 2007.

It also called for immediate removal of the chief of the army staff and the unconditional release of all the arrested lawyers, political leaders, workers, journalists, trade unionists and other citizens.

It also demanded the immediate announcement of the schedule for holding elections under a neutral caretaker government.