LAHORE, Jan 13: The Lawyers Joint Action Committee (JAC) has resolved to oppose a 'behind the scenes' move to get the number of judges in the Supreme Court reduced.

The JAC has convened an all-Pakistan lawyers' convention in Lahore on Feb 12 to discuss the move and to work out a future plan of action. "Lawyers across the country understand that the move is the brainchild of vested interests which are out to harm the judiciary," Pakistan Bar Council's executive committee chairperson Kazim Khan said at a news conference here on Tuesday.

Accompanied by Lahore High Court Bar president Hafiz Abdur Rehman Ansari and others, Mr Khan said the lawyers had not given up their struggle against a public servant becoming the president by unlawful means. The passage of the 17th Amendment remained a contentious issues.

PROTEST DAY: The JAC leaders also announced that a country-wide protest day against the 17th Amendment would be observed. A date is yet to fixed for the protest day.

The leaders said that the amendment had undermined the powers of the legislature and caused impairment of the provincial autonomy. Meanwhile, the JAC has appointed a three-member committee to prepare comprehensive proposals for judicial reforms.

Headed by Supreme Court Bar Association president Tariq Mahmood, the committee comprises of Hamid Khan and Muhammad Ikram Chaudhry. It has been asked to submit the proposed reforms in the lawyers national convention.