The lawyers of Islamabad and Rawalpindi Bar Councils on Tuesday dispelled the impression that long march on March 9 is meant to mount pressure on the newly-elected parliament members, and said that it was for strengthening the parliament.
At a joint press conference here, the lawyers clarified the misconceptions about the long march. Ather Minhallah, and an ardent supporter of the lawyers' movement, welcomed the agreement of both PPP and PML-N for the restoration of pre-November 3 judiciary and establishment of a committee to resolve the issue once for all.
He termed it wrong that lawyers were going to start agitation against the newly elected parliament, rather they were supporting it. "The result of February 18 elections is not out of the blue but is the result of the lawyers for the restoration of judiciary. It would be pertinent to say that long march is for the sake of democracy", he said.
Asmat, president, Islamabad Bar Council said that the proposed long march on March 9 from Lahore to Islamabad would be historical. He said that over 80,000 lawyers from every nook and corner of the country accompanied by the members of civil society and students would rally to propagate the independence of judiciary. 'We have chalked out a plan of action and are busy in making necessary arrangements in this regard', he said.
Tariq, president, Rawalpindi Bar Council, said that the movement would not come to an end until and unless the goal was achieved, that is, an independent judiciary and reinstatement of Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhary.
"We will host participants of the march and have set up committees to keep watch on the whole exercise to avoid any mishap" he said. He said that result of February 18 was a verdict for change and disagreement with the policies of a dictator. "We invite people from every walk of life to join us against the evil designs of an autocrat who is not willing to let the people enjoy their right to freedom," he added.