RAWALPINDI – The legal fraternity observed Wednesday as black day against the approval of the contempt of court bill 2012 from National Assembly (NA).
The strike call was given by Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) following which the lawyers hoisted black flags on the buildings of District Bar Association (DBA). The lawyers also boycotted court proceedings owing to which the litigants came from far-flung areas had to go back to their home with out further hearings by the courts.
A session of DBA general body was also held under the chair of DBA President Sajid Ilyas Bhatti. The session was also attended by LHCBA President Sheikh Ahsan-ud-Din, Imran Ali Malik advocate, Col (Retd) Inam-ur-Rahim, Tasleem Abbasi and many other senior members.
The speakers leashed out at the government for getting passed contempt of court bill from NA. They termed it as black law, which aimed at tying the hands of apex court and to safeguard the corrupt leaders including Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf, who might be met the fate of former premier for not writing Swiss authorities to open corruption cases against President Zardari.
They said that the lawyers were united and would foil all the conspiracies to harm the independence of judiciary. Later, the lawyers also staged a protest demonstration in the district court premises. The protestors chanted slogans against PPP led government and in favor of Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry.
On the other hand, LHCBA President Sheikh Ahsan-ud-Din, while addressing a press conference, hit the PPP-led government and its allies very hard for giving approval to a contempt of court bill. He said that the PPP led government wanted to curtail the suo moto power of CJP in a bid to provide shelter its corrupt leaders who were busy in looting national kitty with both hands. He also termed the bill as black law.
He said that the legal fraternity would oppose the PPP government move from tooth to nail. The press conference was also attended by other representatives of the LHCBA.