Kurd’s victory infuses new spirit in lawyers
November 10th, 2008 | | NeetLAHORE – Ali Ahmed Kurd’s victory in Supreme Court Bar Association’s elections has infused new spirit in lawyers’ movement as a large number of lawyers and activists of different political parties, including chief of Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaaf Imran Khan, participated in their weekly protest rally.
Highly passionate and enthusiastic lawyers and political workers chided present regime for making compromises on the independence of judiciary.
A bunch of lawyers continuously kept raising slogans against president Asif Ali Zardari but this time there was no Aitzaz Ahsan to stop them from doing this. They were also chanting full-throated slogans, Chief teraye Janesar Beshumar Beshumar, Jang Rahe Gye Jang Rahe Gye Iftikhar ki Bahali Tak Jang Rahe Gye. Surprisingly, the angry lawyers who were moving away from the rallies after the inconclusive end of the long march, were back with a hope that CJP Iftikhar Chaudhry would be reinstated soon. The absence of PML-N party activists and leader from the rally was a surprise for the protester as they were expecting party’s major participation in the rally.
A large number of lawyers from Lahore High Court Bar Association and Lahore Bar Association took out rallies from High Court and Aiwan-e-Adal courts respectively after holding their general house meetings. Anwar Kamal was leading LHCBA lawyers while Manzoor Qadir was leading the LBA lawyers.
Pakistan Bar Council members Hamid Khan, Hafiz Abdul Rehman Ansari, Punjab Bar Council vice chairman Aslam Sindhu, LHCBA former president Ahmed Awais, LHCBA vice president Mian Muhammad Aslam and secretary Rana Asadullah Khan were also among the protesters.
LHCBA lawyers joined LBA lawyers at LHC’s main gate. The amalgamation of two rallies turned into a huge gathering that marched to the Faisal Chowk. Party workers of Tehrik-i-Insaf led by Imran Khan, Jamat-e-Islami, Pakhtoon Khawa Milli Awami Party, Insaf Students Federation, Labour Party, Jamiat Ulema Pakistan, Jamiat Tulaba Islam, and Tehrik-e-Khaksar joined the rally at GPO Chowk.
An activist holding flag of the Pakistan People’s Party also joined the rally.
PTI brought a mini truck into the rally, which was carrying loud speakers to play national songs.
Protesting lawyers were holding placards and banners inscribed with demands for restoration of all sacked judges and against the government. Activists of political parties were holding their respective flags and were chanting slogans in favour of their respective leadership and against the PPP government.
When the protesters reached in front of Panorama Shopping Centre, traders showered rose petals on them as a gesture of goodwill. Addressing the participants, Imran Khan said country’s existence hinged on the freedom of judiciary.