QUETTA: The All Pakistan Lawyers Action Committee (APLAC) on Monday expressed support for JUI-F Senator Kamran Murtaza, saying lawyers would resist any attempts by the establishment or other elements to undermine the Constitution and democracy.
‘Whenever there has been a need to raise a voice for the Constitution and democracy, lawyers have come forward. We have launched movements against dictators in every era.
‘How can we remain silent when the judiciary is attacked?’ APLAC Chairman Advocate Ali Ahmed Kurd said at a press conference at the Quetta district courts, alongside senior leaders of various lawyers’ bodies.
The JUI-F recently condemned the sealing of a shop belonging to Mr Murtaza’s brother in Quetta and the withdrawal of the family’s official security. According to party spokesperson Aslam Ghouri, the administrative measures were taken on the ‘groundless pretext’ of labelling the senator’s family Afghan nationals.
Mr Kurd rejected allegations that Mr Murtaza was not a Pakistani citizen but an Afghan national and condemned the seal-ing of his brother’s shop as unjustified.
KP governor’s rule ‘unjustified’ He questioned the growing restrictions on people’s lives and said governor’s rule had been imposed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa without justification, making life difficult for its residents.
Mr Kurd said lawyers stood with those raising their voices for Balochistan, stressing that the voice of truth could not be suppressed. He also criticised the state of parliamentary democracy, saying parliament had lost its actual authority.
He said Mr Murtaza had always spoken for the truth and was not alone, as a large number of lawyers stood behind him. Lawyers could demonstrate their strength immediately but were exercising restraint in view of the prevailing situation, he added.
Mr Kurd urged the government to abandon what he called ‘coercive tactics’ and ensure the supremacy of the Constitution and law and the restoration ofpeace.
Senior Advocate Zahoor Ahmed Shahwani urged bar associations to fulfil their responsibilities effectively. He said raids were being conducted on lawyers’ homes and called for serious dialogue to address such issues and resolve disputes through legal means.
Advocate Raheb Buledi said Pakistan was a democratic country and Mr Murtaza had raised various issues in parliament.
Lawyers believed in the Constitution and democracy, he said, adding that no one could silence their voices.