LAHORE - The lawyers' first weekly rally after resignation of Pervez Musharraf was marked by the absence of PML-N despite the fact that it has a firm stand on judges' restoration. Neither any of PML-N leaders nor party workers joined lawyers' rally that was staged to press their demand for immediate reinstatement of judiciary to its November 2 position. Their absence raised many eye-brows among the lawyers who have now pinned their all hopes in Sharifs to bring sacked judges back to their offices. The lawyers gave mixed reaction on PML-N absence. Some say there was nothing malafide on part of PML-N because it was the only political party that had a clear-cut stand on judges' issue. Some said they were not certain about PML-N's role as well. But the main coalition partners should remember the fact that it was lawyers' relentless struggle that made it possible for them to come back to country. It was expected that in wake of Musharraf's resignation the lawyers would put up a good show on Thursday. But the two rallies that were taken out - first by Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) - second by Lahore Bar Association (LBA) remained unimpressive. The black coats, however, were jubilant over Musharraf's exit but at the same time expressed reservations on judges' reinstatement. After attending the general house meeting lawyers of LBA marched from Aiwan-e-Adal to The Mall. They were joined by the lawyers of LHCBA at GPO Chowk. The amalgamation of two rallies even could not turn it into a big gathering. The rally then proceeded to Faisal Chowk. Activists of different political parties and civil society organisations also joined the rally. They chanted slogans in favour of 'deposed' judges and against the government for delaying the restoration of Nov 2 judiciary. Besides this, activists of Pakhtoon Khwah Milli Awami Party, Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf, Communist Labour Party and Jamiat-e-Ulema-e-Islam also participated in the rally and made their full support to deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry. Lady lawyers also made their presence felt by chanting full-throat slogans in favour of Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and other sacked judges. As the rally reached Regal Chowk, the traders of Hall Road showered rose petals on the protestors and chanted slogans in favour of lawyers' movement. On reaching Punjab Assembly Chowk the protestors held a sit-in and burnt an American flag while demanding the Pakistani government to stop military operation in tribal areas. Addressing to the participants of rally Anwar Kamal, President LHCBA, said the government should not indemnify the illegal and unconstitutional acts of Musharraf and should not give him safe passage. He said the people of Pakistan were looking forward to coalition partners for the restoration of judiciary and delay in this process would disappoint them. Legal fraternity would not accept any minus one or minus two formulas and would continue their movement until the 'deposed' judges are restored unconditionally with honour and respect. During the lawyer's rally heavy contingent of police was deployed at The Mall and the traffic remained jammed which caused problems to commuters. However, no any untoward incident occurred. The anti-PPP sentiment dominated in the bar association and they held PPP responsible for the delay in the restoration of Judges despite resignation of Musharraf. Jubilant but concerned lawyers observed complete boycott of the Lahore High Court and joined hunger strike. They demanded restoration of Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and other deposed judges with an executive order. Lawyers asked the government to hold Musharraf accountable for all the misdeeds and illegal steps done on his dictates.