Protesting lawyers clash with police
Bureau Report

LAHORE—The lawyers of Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) and Lahore District Bar Association (LDBA) staged a rally and a sit-in to demonstrate their continued protest against the dismissal of judges here on Thursday.
The lawyers strongly urged the elected parties to work for restoration of pre-November 3 judiciary on top priority basis. The rally was headed by Manzoor Qadir, President Lahore District Bar Association (LDBA), Abdul Latif Sera Secretary LDBA and other office bearers. It started from Aiwan-e-Adal and hundreds of lawyers as well as workers of political parties joined it.
Addressing the rally, Manzoor Qadir President LDBA said major task of the elected political parties must be to restore the Constitution of 1973, as well as all the deposed judges. Qadir pledged not to accept any government post or offer till the reinstatement of judges. He urged all lawyers to support this stance for the sake of national interest. Firdous Butt, Manzoor Qadir, Hamid Khan, Srfaraz Cheema and other leaders criticised the previous government and vowed to continue the strikes and rallies for their aforementioned stance.
The protesters carried portraits of deposed judges of superior courts as well as lawyers’ leaders and marched to the Punjab Assembly building where they raised slogans against the policies of previous government. The lawyers also staged a sit-in at the Charing cross chowk. The demonstrators chanted slogans for immediate release of Aitzaz Ahsan, Ali Ahmad Kurd and others.
At least seventeen lawyers have been arrested when the lawyer fraternity staged a protest demonstration against government regarding deposed judges and lawyers. According to details, lawyers’ fraternity staged a sit-in and tried to take out the effigy of President Pervez Musharraf for fake funeral prayer at MA Jinnah road.
The police fired tear shells and used baton charges against the protesters. In retaliation, lawyers hurled stones at the police personnel.
Chief of Pakistan Muslim League-N, Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on Thursday said efforts will continue for restoration of supremacy of judiciary in the country. Addressing a rally organized by the lawyers and members of civil societies here near Judicial Colony, he said judiciary will be made independent with the joint efforts and help of people.
He said historical win in the general elections is a success of all democratic forces, who wanted to make country politically stable and strong. He said all credit goes to the people who played their role for achieving success for democracy. Sharif said, “We are in a position to make major decisions for strengthening of democracy in the country. I congratulate people for their help to achieve success.”