Legal fraternity on Monday lauded the Murree Declaration signed by Pakistan Peoples Party and Pakistan Muslim League (N), pledging to restore deposed judges within 30 days after forming government.
They assured full support to the democratic forces, saying that the lawyers would continue their struggle against the dictatorship and lead the country towards a new era of constitutionalism, rule of law and supremacy of parliament.
The speakers expressed these views during black flag hoisting ceremony on the call of Pakistan Supreme Court Bar Association. The black flags were hoisted in District Bar Rawalpindi and the ceremony was addressed by President District Bar Association Sardar Tariq, Secretary General Sajid Tanoli, High Court Bar President Sardar Asmatullah and Secretary Siddiq Awan. Hundreds of lawyers from all over Rawalpindi division attended the function.
Addressing the gathering, the speakers welcomed the developments after two major political parties have signed a declaration for removing all the doubts regarding the restoration of the judiciary. They were of the view that some frustrated elements were trying to create differences between Zardari and Nawaz Sharif. But the sagacious leaders have played important role in creating a democratic atmosphere in the country, they added.
They said that the people had given mandate to PPP and PML for restoration of judiciary, warning if they deviate from this mandate they will have to face the music like president Musharraf. Later lawyers took out a rally and upto Rawalpindi Islamabad Press Club, where they also hoisted black flags along with journalists.
The lawyers also visited the temporary monument built in memory of Benazir Bhutto at the site where she was assassinated on December 27, 2007.They offered fateha for the eternal solace of the deceased leader and expressed complete solidarity with PPP leadership. A hunger strike camp was also set up at District Bar, where lawyers observed token hunger strike against firing of judges of higher judiciary.
Meanwhile, in a mark of solidarity with the legal fraternity in their campaign for restoration of judiciary, journalists also hoisted black flags at Rawalpindi Press Club in a ceremony, wherein PML-N MNA Malik Ibrar Ahmed was the chief guest.
Speaking on the occasion, he said that the reinstatement of judges was the collective demand of the nation and PML (N) took a firm stance on the issue. All the deposed judges including Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry would be restored very soon by the parliament, he said.