Lawyers fraternity continued its protest against the suspension of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, and boycotted court proceedings for one hour from 10:30 am to 11:30 am on Tuesday.
Five lawyers staged token hunger strike at the Karachi Bar Council and five at the Sindh High Court Bar Council. Corner meetings of the lawyers condemned the ongoing slurring campaign against the lawyers who were asking for the restoration of respect for the rule of law, judiciary and democracy in the country.
They have asked the civil society to realise the gravity of situation and come forward to protect the respect for judiciary. The situation in other towns and cities of Sindh was no different. In Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana and other districts the lawyers resolved to support bar councils at different levels and continue their protest, said Aaqil Lodhi, chairman, Human Rights Committee of the Sindh High Court Bar Association.
At the offices of the Karachi Bar Association and the Sindh High Court Bar Association informal review the ongoing protest campaign was undertaken and overall satisfaction was expressed on the success of the campaign.
There was general consensus to keep the campaign moving ahead without affecting the interest of the people who have cases pending in lower and higher courts. Concern was also shown at the under trail prisoners (UTPs) who come to the courts in the morning and go back in the afternoon.
On Tuesday, there were UTPs in dozens waiting outside the city court as the lawyers were on one-hour protest strike. A large number of the UTPs were given next dates for hearing. Similarly, the court proceedings remained disturbed due to one hour protest during which lawyers boycotted court proceedings.