The Pakistan Lawyers Action Committee (PLAC) made a strong statement duringa press conference held at the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday. Theysignaled their intent to organize an All Pakistan Lawyer’s Convention,marking the beginning of a nationwide movement. The primary goal of thismovement is to demand the complete restoration of and adherence to theConstitution. They emphasized that bills not signed or considered signedand assented to should not be treated as Acts of Parliament.
Prominent lawyers, including Sardar Latif Khosa and Chaudhry Aitzaz Ahsan,led this press conference and laid out a series of demands. They called forthe acknowledgment that military courts lack competence to try civiliancitizens on any charges, urging an end to the establishment of militarycourts. Additionally, the PLAC insisted on holding general elections within90 days, with a strong emphasis on ensuring the right of full and freeparticipation for all political parties, their members, and leaders on atruly level playing field.
Another demand put forth by the PLAC was the immediate revision of allutility bills and the rationalization of all taxes payable by the people ofPakistan. Ahsan and Khosa expressed profound concern about the currentstate of the country, suggesting that it was reaching a point where itcould be described as a nation without a constitution.
They pointed to recent incidents, such as the disappearance ofanchorperson Imran Riaz Khan, the kidnapping of former Punjab CM ChaudhryPervez Elahi, and the arrest of political workers, as evidence that theseevents aimed to alter loyalties rather than uphold the law. Moreover, thelawyers raised the alarm about Pakistan’s severe challenges, includinguncontrollable inflation, record unemployment, rising suicide rates, andthe closure of industries. They questioned the government’s capacity toaddress these pressing issues and expressed concerns about worseningeconomic and social conditions.
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The PLAC issued a warning that if these issues persist without resolution,they would feel compelled to initiate a peaceful movement to advocate fortheir demands and bring about essential reforms.
Meanwhile, Haroonur Rashid, Vice-Chairman, and Hassan Raza Pasha, Chairmanof the Executive Committee of the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC), havescheduled an “All Pakistan Lawyers Representatives Conference” for Tuesday,September 5, 2023. This conference aims to deliberate on critical issues,including general elections, challenges faced by the legal community, andthe ongoing economic crisis in Pakistan, according to a statement releasedby the PBC. Representatives from Bar Councils and Bar Associations acrossthe country have confirmed their participation, and the conference isexpected to chart the future course of action for the legal fraternity inaddressing these pressing concerns.
