KARACHI, March 21: Twelve members of the Karachi Bar Association (KBA) observed a token hunger strike in the city courts on Wednesday. Those who sat on hunger strike were Sakina Khatoon, Nasim Bhatti, Rifat Nasim Naz, Farida Hashmat, Aziza Bhatti, Khurshid Ghauri, Farah Samoo, Saeeda Bano, Shazia Tauqer, Khalida Khatoon, Razia Sultana and Shehla Anjum.
Lawyers came out of the city courts in a procession and observed a sit-in on M.A Jinnah Road. They chanted slogans against President Musharraf, the Sindh chief minister and federal ministers for law, information and railways. Earlier, lawyers boycotted the courts proceedings and gathered in front of the city courts. A KBA general body meeting was held, which was addressed by KBA President Iftikhar Javed Qazi, General Secretary Naeem Qureshi, members Sindh Bar Council Ishaq Lodhi, Salahuddin Gandapur, KBA members Naheed Afzaal, Shahadat Awan, Mehmood-ul-Hasan.
The speakers said delay tactics were being used by the administration and the Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftihar Mohammad Chaudhry was not being given a chance to clarify his position.
They said General Musharraf was busy in the media trial of the CJP which, they said, was immoral, and illegal. The protestors said lawyers were not ready to compromise on principles and the president was unable to resolve the issue.
The speakers appreciated those judges who resigned as a gesture of support to the CJP. They asked other judges to follow the example of their colleagues and resign. They said the sacrifices made by them would ensure the supremacy of the judiciary and the strengthening of democratic institutions. “The government is trying to prolong the issue and create rifts among lawyers. We are united and ready to give sacrifices for the rule of law and uphold the dignity of the judiciary” they vowed.
The KBA General Secretary said the CJP would arrive at Sindh High Court on March 23 at the invitation of Sindh Bar Association on its golden jubilee celebrations, saying that he would be given a very warm welcome on his arrival. He said Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry was still the Chief Justice of Pakistan and lawyers were not ready to accept any one else as CJP. He said the lawyers would continue their struggle till his reinstatement as CJP and added that lawyers would continuously block M.A.Jinnah Road for one hour daily to press their demands.
He said the KBA was planning to hold demonstrations in front of chief minister house, governor house and press club. He said a date and time would not be announced, but the decision was likely to be taken within the next few days. He announced honorary KBA membership for all the judges who tendered their resignations in support of lawyers’ campaign.