PM’s resignation: Lawyers’ convention to ratchet up pressure
Lahore bar invites representatives from across country to craft future line of action
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. PHOTO: AP
ISLAMABAD/LAHORE:
The Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) has convened an all Pakistan convention of lawyers’ representatives on May 13 to devise its future strategy on Panamagate issue as its earlier deadline for Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s resignation expired on Friday.
In its meeting held on April 22 in the wake of the Supreme Court’s verdict in the Panamagate case, the LHCBA gave the prime minister one week to resign as it threatened an anti-government movement ‘more intense than 2007 lawyers’ movement against General Pervez Musharraf’.
Addressing LHCBA meeting on Friday, the bar’s president Chaudhry Zulfiqar said the seven-day deadline had passed but the PM had not stepped down.
“We have, therefore, called a convention in Lahore on May 13 to evolve our strategy to force the premier to resign. After the convention we will announce our agenda against the corrupt government,” he said.
Lawyers’ movement evokes déjà vu
Trying to dispel impression that the LHCBA demanded the PM’s resignation as three out of four LHCBA representatives were affiliated with opposition parties, he said every lawyer might have some political affiliation but their affiliation with the bar was above every other thing.
“The bar has no political agenda but it is fighting for the rule of law and to oust corrupt rulers for a welfare state. We have contacted representatives of all bars of the country and they are eager to attend the convention to make strategy against the government,” Zulfiqar said.
The bar’s vice president, Rashid Lodhi, said the bar had reservations over the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) – ordered to be formed by the court to probe the Sharifs’ alleged corruption.
“The JIT cannot hold impartial investigation against a serving PM. Therefore, in view of democratic values, the PM should have disassociated himself from the seat,” he said.
PML-N gets breather, but for how long?
LHCBA Secretary Amir Saeed Rawn said all bars of the country have been taken into confidence to convene this lawyers’ convention. Declaring PM Nawaz Sharif a threat to the country, he claimed that Indian business tycoon Sajjan Jindal was an Indian agent.
“Why PM is having meeting with him secretly. He [Jindal] has come here to bring back [Indian spy] Kalbhushan Jadhav,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Islamabad High Court Bar Association (IHCBA) on Friday also demanded the PM must resign till completion of inquiry in Panama scandal. It also announced that the IHCBA would be a part of lawyers’ convention in Lahore if the prime minister did not stand down.
“His resignation is important during the investigation by the JIT. If he proves innocent after investigation then he may resume his office as prime minister,” IHCBA President Arif Chaudhry said.
The Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) has convened an all Pakistan convention of lawyers’ representatives on May 13 to devise its future strategy on Panamagate issue as its earlier deadline for Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s resignation expired on Friday.
In its meeting held on April 22 in the wake of the Supreme Court’s verdict in the Panamagate case, the LHCBA gave the prime minister one week to resign as it threatened an anti-government movement ‘more intense than 2007 lawyers’ movement against General Pervez Musharraf’.
Addressing LHCBA meeting on Friday, the bar’s president Chaudhry Zulfiqar said the seven-day deadline had passed but the PM had not stepped down.
“We have, therefore, called a convention in Lahore on May 13 to evolve our strategy to force the premier to resign. After the convention we will announce our agenda against the corrupt government,” he said.
Lawyers’ movement evokes déjà vu
Trying to dispel impression that the LHCBA demanded the PM’s resignation as three out of four LHCBA representatives were affiliated with opposition parties, he said every lawyer might have some political affiliation but their affiliation with the bar was above every other thing.
“The bar has no political agenda but it is fighting for the rule of law and to oust corrupt rulers for a welfare state. We have contacted representatives of all bars of the country and they are eager to attend the convention to make strategy against the government,” Zulfiqar said.
The bar’s vice president, Rashid Lodhi, said the bar had reservations over the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) – ordered to be formed by the court to probe the Sharifs’ alleged corruption.
“The JIT cannot hold impartial investigation against a serving PM. Therefore, in view of democratic values, the PM should have disassociated himself from the seat,” he said.
PML-N gets breather, but for how long?
LHCBA Secretary Amir Saeed Rawn said all bars of the country have been taken into confidence to convene this lawyers’ convention. Declaring PM Nawaz Sharif a threat to the country, he claimed that Indian business tycoon Sajjan Jindal was an Indian agent.
“Why PM is having meeting with him secretly. He [Jindal] has come here to bring back [Indian spy] Kalbhushan Jadhav,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Islamabad High Court Bar Association (IHCBA) on Friday also demanded the PM must resign till completion of inquiry in Panama scandal. It also announced that the IHCBA would be a part of lawyers’ convention in Lahore if the prime minister did not stand down.
“His resignation is important during the investigation by the JIT. If he proves innocent after investigation then he may resume his office as prime minister,” IHCBA President Arif Chaudhry said.