PBC to observe countrywide strike today

Lawyers’ body accuses PTI govt of seeking to give service extension to Gen Qamar and ‘rescue’ Gen Musharraf

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) has announced a countrywide strike on Thursday (today) against what they claimed “unconstitutional moves” of the government.

The strike was call to protest against extending the tenure of COAS Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa and ‘rescue’ former military ruler Gen Pervez Musharraf from punishment for committing high treason.

PBC Vice-Chairman Syed Amjad Shah and chairman of the lawyers’ body executive committee, Sher Muhammad Khan strongly condemned “the belated efforts and manoeuvrings” of the government after the Supreme Court’s order for rectification of mistakes it made in issuing a notification of granting extension in service of the incumbent army chief.

Army Act in focus as SC adjourns hearing of General Qamar’s tenure extension

The notification for General Qamar’s reappointment was issued on August 19, which said that he would continue to serve as the COAS until November 2022.

The apex court is currently hearing a petition challenging the government’s move.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the PBC denounced the government’s move of bringing about hurried amendments is some relevant laws in an attempt to overcome its inefficiency in the matter.

The lawyers’ body also disapproved and condemned the “unjustified and unprecedented move”, in violation of constitutional provisions and earlier decisions of the federal government, to approach the Islamabad High Court (IHC) seeking to bar the special court from announcing the verdict it reserved in the high treason case.

The announcement comes hours after the IHC accepted a request filed by the interior ministry and barred the special court from announcing its November 19 order. The special court is trying the former military ruler for “subverting the Constitution” in 2007.

The high court has now asked the federal government to form a new prosecution team for the high treason case by December 5 and also directed the special court to hear pleas of all sides and decide Musharraf’s case in accordance with the law.



Meanwhile, Islamabad Bar Association has supported the strike call, saying the lawyers affiliated with the group will boycott the courts.