RAWALPINDI, Nov 21: More than one lawyer should file their nomination papers in a constituency for the coming elections and the field should not be left vacant for political parties supporting the military dictator.

This was stated by Justice (retd) Wajihuddin Ahmed while addressing lawyers at the District Bar Association (DBA) hall. He said that emergency had been imposed only to punish the superior judiciary and curbs on the media had been placed to hide the present government’s unconstitutional actions and move to rig the general elections.

He said that elections had already been rigged, with less than 60 days given for the preparation and only five days for submission of nomination papers.

He said that the legal fraternity should field as many candidates as possible in the coming elections. “All the haste is being done to accommodate only Pakistan Muslim League and if such elements win the elections, they will legalise all unlawful steps of the military regime through constitutional amendments,” he said.

“If major opposition political parties boycott the polls, we should also stay away from the electoral process. Lawyers can withdraw their nominations in favour of candidates of any political party which promotes their cause.”

Mr Wajihuddin condemned the arrest of lawyers and said the legal community’s struggle could not be suppressed. “Lawyers are united for the supremacy of law and independence of judiciary in the country,” he added.

He said: “We should help those lawyers and judges who are suffering financially for the cause of rule of law.”

He said he would try to meet deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry and visit all detained judges on Thursday and invited lawyers to join him.