HYDERABAD, March 12: Lawyers’ observed strike and boycotted courts across the province on Monday in protest against the president’s action against Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry.
They wore black armbands as a mark of protest and also staged demonstrations.
In Hyderabad, they boycotted courts and decided to extend their protest to Tuesday also on a call given by Pakistan Bar Council. Awami Tehrik also observed token hunger strikes in different parts of the province to join its voice to the protest.
NAWABSHAH: Lawyers hoisted black flags on the building of District Bar Association and announced they would observe Tuesday as a black day against what they called illegal act against the CJP.
An urgent meeting of DBA condemned the action and termed it a violation of the constitution. The meeting demanded withdrawal of reference filed against the chief justice.
MIRPURKHAS: Lawyers demanded that the government should end the CJP’s detention and hold open trial to enable people to be know the facts behind charges levelled against Mr Chaudhry.They observed black day and hoisted black flags on the DBA building. A large number of lawyers also staged a rally. Lawyers in Umerkot also boycotted court.
SANGHAR: Lawyers in Sanghar, Shahdadpur, Khipro and Tando Adam observed complete strike and staged rallies against the president’s action.
They said it had made the entire nation as disappointed as it had been on December 16, 1971, on the fall of Dacca.
In Shahdadpur, activists of Awami Tehrik led by Rafiq Jakhro staged a rally and raised slogans against the decision of Gen Musharraf.
THATTA: Lawyers in Thatta said that Justice Chaudhry had been unconstitutionally and illegally punished for his bold and judicious judgements. Wearing black armbands they staged a procession and boycotted court’s proceedings.
Lakhano Benrani, Aftab Memon, Punhoon Uqaili and Gul Mohammad demanded that the government should uphold the independence of judiciary, democracy and rule of law. Awami Tehrik chief Rasool Bux Palijo also joined the protesters.
KHAIRPUR: Lawyers belonging to People’s Lawyers Forum (PLF) and DBA boycotted court proceedings and staged demonstration outside the session court building.
PLF President Liaquat Shar, DBA President Shafqat Mahessar and general secretary termed the president’s reference illegal and criticised Sindh chief minister for his statement against the CJP.
Reports from Sukkur said that DBA Sukkur also boycotted court and staged a procession and demonstration outside the press club where some lawyers set ablaze their coats as a mark of protest.
NAUSHAHRO FEROZE: Lawyers in Naushahro Feroze boycotted court and staged a rally.
Lawyers in Kandiaro also boycotted court and staged a demonstration in the court building. They termed the president's action as illegal and unconstitutional and demanded open trial for CJP.
JACOBABAD: Lawyers led by DBA President Haji Anwar Ali Jakhrani staged a procession which ended in a sit-in on the road.
Leaders Haji Anwar Ali and Sardar Khan Lashari demanded protection for the judiciary and said that the senior most judge after the chief justice Rana Bhagwandas was required to act as acting CJ but the oath was unconstitutionally administered to Justice Jawaid Iqbal.
BADIN: Lawyers boycotted court proceedings and vowed their protest would continue until the government announced it was holding open trial of the chief justice.
SHIKARPUR: Lawyers boycotted court and held a protest meeting, which termed the president’s action as unconstitutional.
The meeting chaired by Atta Mohammad Soomro resented the president’s attitude towards the chief justice and adopted a resolution demanding restoration of honour and legal privileges to the chief justice.
DADU: Lawyers in Dadu and Jamshoro districts boycotted courts and expressed their resolve to continue protest until the decision was withdrawn.
A meeting of Dadu DBA said that lawyers demanded that the government should take back its decision.
LARKANA: Lawyers termed the president’s action against the CJP as an attempt to gag the judiciary and stop it from giving any judgements in future against the re-election of Gen Musharraf.
They boycotted courts and held meetings in bar rooms to condemn the president’s decision and vowed to fight against the decision, which they called unconstitutional.