The Pakistan Lawyers Action Committee (PLAC) made a strong statement during a press conference held at the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday. They signaled their intent to organize an All Pakistan Lawyer's Convention, marking the beginning of a nationwide movement. The primary goal of this movement is to demand the complete restoration of and adherence to the Constitution. They emphasized that bills not signed or considered signed and 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 for the acknowledgment that military courts lack competence to try civilian citizens on any charges, urging an end to the establishment of military courts. Additionally, the PLAC insisted on holding general elections within 90 days, with a strong emphasis on ensuring the right of full and free participation for all political parties, their members, and leaders on a truly level playing field.
Another demand put forth by the PLAC was the immediate revision of all utility bills and the rationalization of all taxes payable by the people of Pakistan. Ahsan and Khosa expressed profound concern about the current state of the country, suggesting that it was reaching a point where it could be described as a nation without a constitution.
They pointed to recent incidents, such as the disappearance of anchorperson Imran Riaz Khan, the kidnapping of former Punjab CM Chaudhry Pervez Elahi, and the arrest of political workers, as evidence that these events aimed to alter loyalties rather than uphold the law. Moreover, the lawyers raised the alarm about Pakistan's severe challenges, including uncontrollable inflation, record unemployment, rising suicide rates, and the closure of industries. They questioned the government's capacity to address these pressing issues and expressed concerns about worsening economic and social conditions.
The PLAC issued a warning that if these issues persist without resolution, they would feel compelled to initiate a peaceful movement to advocate for their demands and bring about essential reforms.
Meanwhile, Haroonur Rashid, Vice-Chairman, and Hassan Raza Pasha, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC), have scheduled 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, and the ongoing economic crisis in Pakistan, according to a statement released by the PBC. Representatives from Bar Councils and Bar Associations across the country have confirmed their participation, and the conference is expected to chart the future course of action for the legal fraternity in addressing these pressing concerns.