Lawyers warn of movement if price hike not contained
PHOTO: EXPRESS
The Peshawar High Court Bar Association (PHCBA) issued a warning to the government on Monday, threatening to launch a lawyers' movement if the ongoing surge in prices and the issue of inflated electricity bills were not swiftly addressed.
In response to the PHCBA's call, legal professionals boycotted court proceedings in protest, causing disruptions in the judicial process and adding to the woes of litigants.
During a general body meeting presided over by its president, Tariq Afridi Advocate, the PHCBA unanimously passed a resolution condemning the inflated electricity bills and the hike in petroleum product rates.
The resolution called upon the government to promptly retract the increases in electricity and petroleum prices, and abolish the provision of free petrol and electricity units to certain government officials.
Furthermore, the resolution demanded that the caretaker government adhere to the constitutional deadline for conducting transparent elections. Failure to do so, the lawyers warned, would lead to the initiation of a vigorous movement.
"We are commencing a movement now, and political parties will be invited to join us," announced the PHCBA president during the meeting. He added, "We will champion the cause against inflation, and we will also seek legal remedies if necessary."
Afridi highlighted the ripple effect of rising petrol prices on the cost of living and proposed the discontinuation of free electricity units and fuel provisions for certain government officers.
The PHCBA president disclosed plans to form a committee comprising senior lawyers to engage with the governor and the caretaker chief minister to voice the legal fraternity's concerns. "If our demands remain unmet, we will urge political parties, traders, and student organizations to participate in a protest movement," he said. "We will not relent until inflation is brought under control."
Addressing the meeting, PHCBA General Secretary Lajbar Khan expressed deep concern about the daily escalation in the prices of essential commodities, characterizing inflation as an unbearable burden on the people.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 5th, 2023.