ISLAMABAD: A convention organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association has called upon the bar associations to observe a countrywide strike on Sept 9 (Saturday) to uphold the rule of law, as the apex lawyers body demanded the release of political prisoners, end of the military’s role in politics, and effective measures to address economic meltdown.
The resolution which listed all these demands followed the speeches of lawyers Hamid Khan, Latif Khosa, Aitzaz Ahsan, and SCBA President Abid Zuberi among others at the All Pakistan Lawyers Convention organised by the SCBA’s 25th Executive Committee at the SCBA complex.
The Pakistan Bar Council was conspicuous by its absence from the meeting — as pointed out by Mr Zuberi who regretted that despite an invite the PBC did not attend the moot.
The resolution passed by the convention advocated civilian supremacy and said that the bar councils would demonstrate peaceful protests in their respective bar associations in the shape of rallies and marches to defend and uphold the Constitution and rule of law.
It said every institution in Pakistan was under the Constitution and could not make even the slightest deviation.
In a specific reference to the armed forces, the resolution said that the officials of all ranks, being the creation of the Constitution, are bound to act strictly in accordance with the Constitution and not indulge in any political activity whatsoever.
The SCBA said all judicial verdicts of the courts passed in accordance with the Constitution and the law should be enforced and implemented by the executive and its officials in letter and spirit and those found responsible for defying such verdicts should be strictly punished under the law.
Likewise, all citizens are equal before the law and no military, civil or judicial office holders can claim any privileged status, immunity and concessions like free fuel, transport, electricity, gas etc. and such concessions be withdrawn immediately.
Likewise, the phenomenal rise in the prices of electricity, oil, gas, sugar and other commodities of common use be withdrawn and reduced and relief be granted to the common people.
The convention also acknowledged the gravity of the economic situation and invited all stakeholders to engage in constructive dialogue to find solutions to address economic depression, offering the forum of this association for such discussions.
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