Terming it the ‘blackest day’ in the history of the country, the lawyers’ community on Thursday observed black day in condemnation of November 3, 2007 emergency imposed by of General (r) Pervez Musharraf. The call for the observance of complete strike was given a day ahead by Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), Punjab bar Council (PBC) and Lahore High Court bar Association (LHCBA). Accordingly, the lawyers wore black armbands, observed strike, attended bar meetings, and made speeches against Musharraf. The lawyers recalled the sacrifices made by the legal community during the Lawyers Movement, fighting a long battle on the roads against Muharraf that culminated with his ousting from the power with surprise resignation as last ditch effort for face-saving and subsequent restoration of judges of the superior judiciary.
The strike call remained successful as up to 60 percent lawyers did not appear in the court and a lot of cases had to be adjourned for next dates of hearing by the judges. However in urgent cases like bails petitions the lawyers were seen appearing in the court in sympathy for their clients languishing in jails. Some lawyers sent their clerks and secretaries asking the court for adjournment of their cases of lesser urgency. However, lawyers, wearing black armbands, were present at the bar premises, engaged in chit chat taking sips of tea and coffee, remembering the days of Lawyers. The LHCB held a general house meeting under chair of bar’s president Asghar Ali Gill in connection with black day where a large number of black coats participated and raised slogan against PCO and Musharraf’s emergency/martial law.
Addressing the general meeting, LHCBA President Asghar Ali Gill said “we (lawyers) condemn the unconstitutional and unlawful Nov 3, 2007 steps of military dictator Pervez Musharraf and we will continue to block the way of unconstitutional steps of any government or dictator in future also.” Referring to the differences between the pro-judiciary and pro-PPP/government groups of the lawyers, Asghar Gill said they had right to have difference of opinion as it was one of the beauties of democracy. However, the lawyers were united in defence of judiciary, Gill said, adding that the lawyers should not serve as political tools of parties. “November 3 is the darkest day I the history of the constitution,” said Secretary LHCBA Arshad Malik Awan, adding that thousands of lawyers and 60 judges were put in the jails by Musharraf when they obstructed him in his evil designs and ambitions to endlessly rule the country by PCO.
