LAHORE, April 16: The Supreme Court Bar Association on Monday alleged that President Pervez Musharraf was driving the country towards a civil war just to perpetuate his rule.

At a press conference, SCBA office-bearers, including Vice-President Sahibazada Anwar Hamid and Secretary Zulfiqar Ali Bokhari, expressed concern over Jamia Hafsa episode and said that the Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s rally in Karachi seemed to be an attempt to drag both sides into confrontation, which, they alleged, was being done on the instructions of Gen Musharraf. They said this was an attempt by the general to create chaos in the country, resulting in civil war. “The president has been working on a situation where he could justify imposition of emergency in the country.”

They said the lawyers would not allow such a move to succeed. No body will be allowed to declare martial law in the country, they added.

They appreciated lawyers’ struggle for the restoration of democracy in Pakistan, and to uphold independence of judiciary. They also congratulated Hyderabad Bar Association for making it possible for the `non-functional’ Chief Justice to address lawyers and 15 serving judges of the Sindh High Court.

They said lawyers would hold a peaceful protest on April 18 when the Supreme Judicial Council will resume hearing of the reference against Justice Chaudhry.

They also condemned the attack on journalists in Karachi, and urged Sindh Bar Association office-bearers to expose the lawyers involved in the incident and proceed against them.