LAHORE, March 18: The Lahore High Court Bar Association will convene a lawyers’ convention to consider launching a campaign for revival of democracy under the 1973 Constitution.

The government, LHCBA President Chaudhry Muzammil and Secretary Shahid Mahmod Bhatti regretted in a statement issued on Monday, has taken the first step to associate army officers with the judicial process. This would have an undesirable effect on the proceedings of anti-terrorist courts inasmuch presence of military officers in the prosecution team would tip the balance in its favour and against the defence.

They said the hopes created by Dr Khalid Ranjha’s appointment as federal law minister had been belied. Before joining the federal cabinet Dr Ranjha had assured a delegation of lawyers that there was no plan to induct army officers in the judicial process.

The LHCBA office-bearers said the government was in mood to effect a real transfer of power and the legal fraternity would again have to wage a struggle for the restoration of constitutional rule and protection of the independence of the judiciary.