Black Day observed across the board

IMRAN MUKHTAR, AZAM TANOLI and Shahid rao
ISLAMABAD The legal fraternity, political parties, parliamentarians, journalists and civil society observed November 3 as Black Day throughout the country on Tuesday against the imposition of emergency and the unconstitutional steps taken by former President Pervez Musharraf on the same day two years back here.
The lawyers hoisted black flags at the offices of Bar Councils and Bar Associations as well as appeared before the courts wearing black bands while they also boycotted the courts proceedings in some parts of the country. Supreme Court Bar Association, High Court Bar Associations and local bar councils organized protest gatherings and held rallies all over the country.
Senior advocates of Supreme Court of Pakistan, Akram Chaudhry and Barrister Sheikh Mohammad Akram held separate press conferences in the courts premises to condemn the promulgation of emergency and sacking of judges of superior courts by then president, Gen (Retd) Pervez Musharraf.
Islamabad Bar Council (IBC) organized a protest gathering in the premises of District Courts. Former Amir Jamaat-e-Islami, Qazi Hussain Ahmed, PLM-N leader, Javed Hashmi, General (Retd) Abdul Qayyum, Presidenr IBC, Niaz Ullah Niazi and ex-Vice Chairmen of Punjab Bar Council, Aslam Sindu were among the prominent speakers who addressed the gathering.
Qazi Hussain Ahmed terming the day as the day of determination said that the steps of November 3 had been declared null and void by Supreme Court of Pakistan in its verdict of 31 July. But, he said some of its remnants in form of National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) still existed with the doctrine of necessity. He urged the lawyers to step forward for the elimination of these remnants. While terming America, a root cause of all evils, he said that America was giving them RS 1.5 million dollars annually in reward of violence, terrorism and suicide bombings faced by Pakistanis.
Niaz Ullah Niaz, Presidenr IBC while condemning the unlawful steps of Pervez Musharraf said that there was no uncertainty in the country on November 3, 2007, which required imposition of emergency. Musharraf imposed emergency only in a bid to cover his illegal actions and to sack independent judiciary, he added. He appreciated the Pakistani media, both print and electronic for highlighting the judiciary movement and playing an important role for the restoration of judges. President Bar presented two separate resolutions, for the rejection of NRO and Kerry-Lugar Act (KLA), which were unanimously passed by the legal fraternity.
To condemn the unconstitutional steps of November 3, Parliamentarians belonging to different political parties of the country including Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Awami National Party (ANP) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) also took out a protest walk from the Parliament House to the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
Makhdoom Javed Hashmi, leader of PML-N while addressing the protest rally termed November 3 as blackest day in the history of the country, when a dictator imposed curbs on the judiciary, Parliament and media and attacked the independence of judiciary.
He said that his party rejected National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO), Kerry-Lugar Act and 17th amendment for the greater interest of the nation.
He while appreciating the sacrifices of lawyers, media and civil society said that perhaps the sacrifices of politicians stood little against their sacrifices for the independence of judiciary.
Terming the Kerry-Lugar Act as a drone attack and chain of slavery for Pakistanis, he said that Parliament should reject it. He said that PML-N had been struggling against the illegal steps of a dictator from the very first day and would continue to oppose these unconstitutional steps in the future. PML-N leader said that despite facing difficult situation, his party leadership tackled issues bravely, adding that political leaders had to get the country free completely from unconstitutional steps taken by a dictator.
Khawaja Saad Rafique,another PML-N leader while addressing the participants said that Pakistani nation would continue its struggle for the supremacy of the constitution under the vibrant leadership of Mian Nawaz Sharif. He said that the government was forced to step back on NRO due to immense pressure from opposition parties, adding that the law was the brainchild of Pervez Musharraf.
PML-N leader said that the struggle of the party would continue till the supremacy of the Parliament and no one would be allowed to make President House as a symbol of dictatorship. He urged the government to devise a national policy for the elimination of extremism and demanded of the trial of Gen (Retd) Pervez Musharraf under Article 6 of Constitution who violated it twice.
Rawalpindi Islamabad Union of Journalists (RIUJ) also held a protest gathering against the promulgation of emergency and imposition of ban on media on November 3, 2007 at National Press Club. On that day, the government by enforcing Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) amended Ordinance, 2007 had banned all private TV channels and FM radio stations.
Shahid Rao adds from Rawalpindi: Observing Black Day against former President Pervez Musharrafs unconstitutional measures taken on November 3 2007, legal fraternity Tuesday pledged to continue their efforts to guard the independence of the judiciary.
The lawyers also promised to oppose any future attempt to introduce any provisional constitution order (PCO) in the country.
The legal community did not appear in the courts after 11:00 am to express their protest over the extra constitutional actions taken by former president Pervez Musharraf.
In this regard, lawyers also arranged seminars both at district courts and high court to condemn the proclamation of emergency and subsequent dethroning of a majority of judges of Supreme Court and high courts.
The bar associations observed it as black day by hoisting black flags on the bar buildings carrying black ribbons around their forearms and making speeches against those judges who took oath under the PCO.
The members of Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) approved a resolution unanimously stating that they would never compromise on the independence of judiciary and would remain vigilant about any effort to sabotaging the judiciary.
The resolution further adopted that the lawyers fraternity would eliminate black sheep from their quarters and the struggle would continue till elimination of corrupt and dishonest people from the bar and bench.
It was further decided to commemorate March 09 and November 3 as symbol of struggle for independence of judiciary and resolved to keep watch on the independence of judiciary.
Addressing the LHCBA seminar, newly elected Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President Qazi Anwar said the lawyers fought for independence of judiciary and would safeguard its independence with constant vigilance.
Talking about unconstitutional steps of former dictator the leader of the lawyers said the Parliament should not pass the controversial National Reconciliation Ordinance as the SC had questioned it and the public had rejected it.
Speaking on the occasion former SCBA President Hamid Ali Khan advised the lawyers not to be complacent as some forces were bent on annulling the July 31 decision by the SC.
A sitting judge at LHCs Rawalpindi bench Justice Asad Munir said the judges would not now take oaths again and again. He declared November 3 emergency a blessing in disguise.
Later district bar association also held a seminar where the SCBA president and other senior lawyers made speeches against the emergency and PCO.
On November 3, 2007 General Pervez Musharraf imposed emergency rule, suspended the constitution and sacked superior court judges who refused to take oath under the Provisional Constitutional Order or weere not invited to take oath.