In Pakistan, the largest organization of lawyers, the Pakistan Bar Council,has stated that on September 9th, lawyers across the country will observe astrike in demand of a general election date. While speaking to the medianear the Supreme Court in Islamabad on Monday, the Chairman of theExecutive Committee of the Pakistan Bar Council, Hasan Raza Pasha, said,”On September 9th, there will be a nationwide strike of lawyers. No lawyerwill appear in any court.”
Hasan Raza stated that a meeting of committees from Punjab, Balochistan,Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Islamabad Bar Councils had been convened totake “practical steps” against the current constitutional crisis andinflation. He also mentioned that during the meeting, an agreement wasreached to demand the President of Pakistan to announce the election datein accordance with Article 48(5) within 90 days, as stipulated underArticle 224, without the need for consultation as they are authorized toprovide the constitutional date.
The meeting also discussed issues related to electricity, gas, andtelephone bills. Hasan Raza Pasha insisted that the current government,under interim arrangements, should stop providing free electricity and gasconnections to judges, generals, and government officials within a week.
Regarding missing persons, Hasan Raza Pasha said that the issue of missingpersons is escalating in the country, and they should be presented beforethe courts. If there are allegations against them, they should be broughtbefore the law.
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Furthermore, he demanded an immediate hearing of references against judgesof the Supreme Court from all Bar Councils. He also called for ChiefJustice Qazi Faez Isa to take action on these references after taking theoath of office. Hasan Raza Pasha emphasized that they are demanding thegovernment to withdraw utility bills concessions and announce an electiondate in compliance with the constitution before taking office.
