UK Lawyers demands firm action from Western World not a lip service
UK Lawyers demands firm action from Western World not a lip service Association of Pakistani Lawyers a team of Pakistani origin lawyers, Solicitors, Barristers, Judges in UK jointly condemn imposition of emergency rule as well as suspending the operation of Constitution of Pakistan 1973 by Chief of Army Staff and his collaborating executive force in Pakistan. APL has convened its emergency meeting of its executive on 6 November and have strongly protested against the curtailment of fundamental rights, the curbs on electronic and print media, attacks on independence of Judiciary, suspension of Constitution of 1973, arrests of judges, lawyers, human right activist and teachers and the Martial Law which has been imposed by General Musharraf as the Chief of Army Staff.
APL make following demands of Musharraf regime:
· APL demands that emergency is lifted at once and operation of constitution is restored.
· APL demands that the military regime at once resort to civilian set up, announce date of elections, and appoint a care set up to hold free and fair elections.
· APL declares that extremism can not be tackled with a derailed political process. There must be a full scale revival of a credible political process and as the current parliament comes to an end on 15th of November therefore a broad band national reconciliation must be initiated genuinely. National Govt is formed as an interim care taker set up including Nawaz Sharif, Be Nazir Bhuttoo, Fazal Rehman, Qazi Hussain Ahmed, Imran Khan, Shujat Hussain, Altaf Hussain, Justice Wajihuddin Ahmed, Asfand Yar Wali, and Mehmood Khan Achakzai and they hold a broad band national reconciliation and take recommendation of all the stake holders as to how a credible election can take place. A date is announced of fresh general elections after that constitution & recommendations . Provincial care taker set ups and new chief election commissioner is appointed with consultation of all parties to hold free and fair elections forthwith within the time frame.
· Freedom of all citizens enshrined in the Constitution must be restored along with the 1973 Constitution as winning hearts and minds must be a motto and govt must not to divert people to apathy and hopelessness. Ensure free press and electronic media freedom as in Pakistan education rate is so low that only this sort of media revolution can assist to form public opinion to vote in free polls to rid the politics of the dirty sleazy and feudal mind set, freedom of movement as well as intellectual stimulation must be preserved and ensured which is a pre requisite to national development.
APL has following request to make to the Western World:
· APL requests the United Nations, European Union, United States, Commonwealth, United Kingdom, Amnesty, Human Rights Watch, and all other international and national governmental and non governmental organizations to take notice of detained Supreme Court judges, lawyers, human rights activists and the gagging orders against electronic media and impress upon General Musharraf to lift all sanctions on the operation of constitution and restore civil rights, media freedom and liberty plus normalcy in the country, release all detained before, on or after 3rd November and allow the Supreme Court to function in accordance with the law and constitution. If they fail to make it clear strongly, we may miss the opportunity to have rule of law, justice and democracy in Pakistan for a long period to come therefore restoring the operation of constitution and law is prima facie matter of great importance for the people of Pakistan and if Western World is serious about democracy in that part of the world than befitting action is needed not a lip service and cosmetic statements. Lifting emergency is of utmost importance to allow people to make a fair choice in coming days.
APL will hold a peaceful meeting on 10 November 2007 at APL conference Hall to protest and consider making further efforts in order to assist their fellow colleagues to restore rule of law, justice and operation of constitution in Pakistan. APL hope that Lawyers, media and Civil society’s contribution is fruitful to bring Pakistan out of this constitutional crisis
Amjad Malik Chair Association of Pakistani Lawyers (UK)
Phone: 00 44 1706 346 011
Personal email at: APLRochdale@aol.com
Mobile: 00 44 7770983308
6 November 2007
- Posted by valiantpk on 06/11/2007.
- valiantpk's site
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