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LAHORE, April 4: A convention of lawyers’ representatives will be held in Lahore on April 20 to formulate the Bar’s response to the government’s referendum plan and work out an action plan, the Supreme Court Bar Association announced here on Thursday.
Addressing a press conference, SCBA President Hamid Khan and other office-bearers said a direct petition to challenge the move would be filed by the association in the Supreme Court.
But if the government made a reference to the Supreme Court over the question of referendum, the association would seek to be impleaded as an intervener. A firm decision would be taken in consultation with the Pakistan Bar Council once the details were known.
Asked if the SCBA would seek action against lawyers who supported the referendum move in any capacity, he said this matter, too, shall be decided by the proposed convention of lawyers. He reiterated that the referendum move was unlawful and unconstitutional and any law promulgated to punish opposition to it would be equally illegal.
LHCBA: The Lahore High Court Bar Association, meanwhile, also decided on Thursday to convene a ‘Save the Constitution conference’ as a first step to mobilize the public opinion against the referendum move. A protest campaign would follow, LHCBA President Chaudhry Muzammil Khan and Secretary Shahid Mahmood Bhatti said in a press statement.
POTO CONDEMNED: The LHCBA general body unanimously adopted on Thursday a resolution moved by Advocate Sibtain Akhtar Bukhari to condemn India’s new anti-terrorism legislation.
The resolution said the Poto evidenced ascendancy of fascist tendencies and communal politics in India.
Describing it as a draconian measure, the resolution said the law would be ruthlessly used to suppress the Kashmiri and Indian Muslims and other minorities.
