Lawyers community on Tuesday observed 'Yaum-e-Iftikhar' with a pledge to continue struggle for the restoration of deposed judges who had previously defied PCO oath and spurned the government offer of reappointment under fresh oath.
The day was observed on the call of National Co-ordination Committee to keep legal fraternity warm for a "big show" and quicken the movement against the November 3 PCO as well as for restoration of judges after Eid-ul-Fitr.
Reports received at the bar here showed the lawyers at different parts of the country took active participation in the meetings held to renew their commitment with deposed justice Iftikhar Chaudhry and to carry on their struggle for his restoration as Chief Justice of Pakistan. Lawyers also took out rallies and raised black flags to resent the yet not honoured commitment for the judges restoration through an executive order.
Apart from meetings, lawyers also continued to observe daily token boycott of the courts and hunger strike to press the government for revival of November 2 judiciary.
The speakers including JI Naib Amir Liaqat Baloch, PTI Central Leader Admiral Javed Iqbal (Retd), Khaksar chief, Hameedud Almishriqi, Member Pakistan Bar Council Hafiz Abdul Ansari, former President SCBA Hamid Khan, President LHCBA Anwar Kamal, PML-N leader Chaudhry Naseer Ahmad Bhutta, JUP's Engineer Saleemullah, Shafqat Mahmood Chauhan, Mian Abdul Qadoos, Allah Buksh Gondal, Abdul Rashid Qureshi and others addressed a function organised by Lahore High Court Bar Association to observe 'Yaum-e-Iftikhar'.
They said the lawyers despite braving every odds and difficulties in their way were yet not tired of struggle to fulfil their commitment for the revival of November 2 judiciary. The judges who accepted reappointment under fresh oath have disappointed not only the lawyers but also the public at a juncture when all were ready to go to any length to win their restoration.
Liaqat Baloch stressed the need for evolving a common strategy involving people from all walks of life against feudal and powerful class, which according to him acting under the command of America, did not favour establishment of strong institutions in the country.
Baloch on the occasion also announced mass contact train march of the JI next month. Admiral Iqbal promised a whole hearted support of the PTI to the lawyers movement while stressing the need of maintaining unity in the lawyers ranks and files.
Hamid Khan said their movement would continue and those trying to weaken their unity would frustrate. He said restoration of Justice Chaudhary to the office is the only way to sort out the judicial crisis and save the country. The bar President Kamal said lawyers movement was not confined to them but it had become a public movement. He said the force of the movement would sweep away every thing, which stood in the way of an independent judiciary.