Lawyers across the country on Saturday observed “Day of Mourning” against the unlawful and unconstitutional act of former military ruler General Pervez Musharraf in 2007. Five years ago on May 12, 2007, Musharraf unlawfully imposed a ban on the movement of Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry at Karachi Airport, and did not allow him to enter Karachi to address the lawyers. The violence on that day included the deaths of over 45 innocent people, burning of lawyers’ offices, and attacks on media houses. Several Bar councils across the country, including Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar and Quetta, observed the “Day of Mourning” on the call of Pakistan Bar Council (PBC).
The lawyers boycotted court proceedings, wore black armbands and hoisted black flags at the Bar council buildings. They organised special meetings, and condemned Musharraf’s unlawful act. Several rallies were also organised in the country. They also offered special prayers for the victims of the May 12 massacre. While criticising the present rulers, the lawyers said that the real culprits of the 2007 massacre were the coalition partners of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)-led government.
