Bar council demands PM's resignation

Legal fraternity warns of launching province-wide campaign

KARACHI: As Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif stands firm against growing demands calling for his resignation after the report of the joint investigation team (JIT), the legal fraternity warned on Friday of launching a province-wide campaign.

The warning came in a resolution unanimously passed by Sindh Bar Council (SBC) members at an emergency meeting of the executive committee convened to discuss the JIT report and the issue of the PM's resignation. The meeting was presided over by the Sindh Bar Coucil's vice-chairperson, Qurban Ali Malano, the executive committee's chairperson, Abdul Wahab Baloch, and member Hakim Ali Shaikh.

After a detailed discussion on the matter, the executive committee unanimously adopted the resolution, which stated that SBC believes in a democratic system and rule of law.



The resolution stated that the two senior judges of the Supreme Court (SC) had already disqualified PM Sharif as a member of the National Assembly and ordered his de-notification. The resolution stated that the remaining three judges had ordered the formation of a JIT to ascertain the facts and the JIT had already submitted its report to the SC on July 10.

"After detailed discussion and deliberation the SBC's executive committee demanded PM Nawaz Sharif step down forthwith by tendering his resignation as a member of the National Assembly, otherwise a protest campaign would be launched against him through hunger strikes, short marches and boycott of the court proceedings," the resolution stated.

The meeting also warned political parties to remain within ethical boundaries while commenting on the judiciary, otherwise they would face the consequences.

"The SBC resolved to stand as a shield to protect the honour and dignity of the courts and enforce rule of law in the country," it concluded.