May 12 mayhem: Capital lawyers observe black day

Over 50 lawyers, political workers, civilians lost their lives in Karachi.

ISLAMABAD: Lawyers from the capital observed a ‘black day’ along with other members of the community across the country on Saturday to condemn the carnage in Karachi that took place on May 12, 2007, during the movement for the restoration of the higher judiciary.

On the call of the Pakistan Bar Council, the Islamabad District Bar Association boycotted court proceedings.

Protest meetings were held by the bar association to pay tribute to the victims of Karachi carnage.

At a meeting of the Islamabad High Court Bar Association, lawyers condemned the May 12 incident and demanded justice for over 50 people, including lawyers, who were killed in the port city.

The meeting did not affect regular proceedings that continued at the Islamabad High Court.

Black flags were also hoisted on the bar premises, while the lawyers were seen wearing black armbands.

Resolutions were passed condemning the incident and demanding arrest of the perpetrators.

The lawyers, while condemning the killing of lawyers and political workers in Karachi said they would never forget the sacrifices of their fellow lawyers for the restoration of the judiciary.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 13^th, 2015.