KARACHI, May 12: Mushir Alam, Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court, said on Saturday that organs of the state should follow the law and the Constitution as the judiciary had resolved to fight for the rule of law and not to “surrender against unconstitutional actions”.

He was addressing a seminar on “Role of the law and duty of the government” under the aegis of the Sindh Bar High Court Association to commemorate sacrifices of lawyers and civil society for independence of judiciary on May 12, 2007.

Chief Justice Alam said that courts alone could not do anything if the state machinery was bent upon defying law of the land.

Recalling the May 12 mayhem, he said that the lawyers, civil society and democratic forces wanted to welcome the Chief Justice of Pakistan on his arrival to the city that was taken hostage by miscreants and all routes leading to the SHC and the city courts were sealed off.

The CJ said that he and other fellow judges were in the chamber of the then Chief Justice Sabihuddin Ahmed when lawyers informed them that they had been besieged on the premises of the city courts and requested the chief justice to issue orders for their protection and safety. However, he said, the then provincial police chief excused himself from appearing in the court when the chief justice called him.He underlined the need for making collective efforts by lawyers and civil society for the rule of law and supremacy of the constitution.

The chief justice said that the judiciary was committed to upholding the supremacy of law and constitution to protect rights of the people.

Sindh High Court Bar Association president Anwar Mansoor Khan, Pakistan Bar Council vice chairman Akhtar Hussain, Sindh Bar Council member Salahuddin Gandapur, SHCBA secretary Shahab Sarki and Advocate Javed Siddiqui and others spoke on the occasion.

The speakers said that it was unfortunate that the government failed to protect the life and property of the people on May 12.

They deplored that no culprit was brought to book.

PBC vice chairman Akhtar Hussain stressed for bringing about a structural change in the system and endeavour for democratic and welfare state.

The SHCBA also adopted a unanimous resolution demanding that case pertaining to May 12 killings might be reopened and decided in accordance with the law.

The bar also demanded trial of former President Pervez Musharraf for his involvement in May 12 killings.

It demanded of the government to establish a “truth and reconciliation commission” to meet the threats being faced by the nation through unity, faith and discipline.