LAHORE, Nov 12: A majority of lawyers stayed away from the Lahore High Court (LHC) and lower courts for the seventh consecutive day. A few lawyers were present in the courtyard at the back of Kyani Hall. A large contingent of policemen in civvies and uniform was deployed inside and outside the court. They left the High Court at 2:00pm.

At Aiwan-i-Adl, a statement by the Lahore Bar Association (LBA) placed on the notice board, stated that lawyers would not appear before judges till the release of all members of the LBA.

The LBA secretary told lawyers a general house meeting of the LBA would be held soon.

Lawyers’ absence from courts have added a lot to the strike call given by the Pakistan Bar Council, which has asked lawyers to continue strike indefinitely till the restoration of all judges removed under the Provisional Constitutional Order. All barrooms and lounges wore a deserted look due to the absence of lawyers.

Lahore High Court Bar Association Vice President Firdaus Butt told lawyers a meeting of the bar had been convened on Thursday to plan a future course of action.

She said the treatment of lawyers in jails was painful and deplorable. She said General Pervez Musharraf’s announcement of general elections in January 2008 was a “joke” because he had planned to rig them under martial law.

SARFRAZ CHEEMA: Lahore High Court Bar Association Secretary Sarfraz Cheema said on Monday lawyers would continue their movement till the restoration of judges who had not taken oath under the Provisional Constitutional Order.