Aitzaz quits by-poll race

LAHORE - Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President Aitzaz Ahsan Sunday announced for the second time not to contest elections in view of his commitment to lawyers who are flexing their muscles to launch a long march in favour of reinstatement of judges on November 2 position.

"I want to concentrate more on preparations for long march. At the same time I do not want to put Pakistan People's Party in an embarrassing position. There would be a contraction of affairs that on one side I am committed to lawyers' movement while on the other I am contesting by-election on PPP ticket" Aitzaz said in a press conference at his Zaman Park residence.

He said representatives of All Pakistan lawyers' convention had reposed full confidence in him and left it with him to decide whether to contest or withdraw from the elections.

"I am withdrawing my candidature from NA-55 Rawalpindi with lot of thanks to lawyers and voters of the constituency," he added. He said he had informed party head in this regard.

He said that through a letter written to all Bar Associations during his detention he had opposed boycott of elections in case two major political parties decided to participate in it. But the Pakistan Bar Council without paying any heed to his letter announced boycott of election.

"I followed that decision and withdrew my nomination papers at that time as well because I did not want to sabotage lawyers' movement," he said. He made it clear that lawyers' long march would advance towards parliament house in Islamabad but not to destabilise it rather to strengthen it. He added that there was no plan to lay a siege around GHQ because the army was staying away from the politics since Kayani had taken the COAS office.

Responding to a question whether long march would detrack democracy, he said the people would decide who were destroying democracy. He also maintained that independent minded judges would work as protecting shield for the parliament.

He said the Presidency had become a hub of conspiracies against democracy and judges' restoration, adding that judges reinstatement would strengthen democracy.

Aitzaz declined to make it public the reasons and forces which are restraining Asif Zadari from reinstating judges, saying "it is a private affair. I could only say that I differ with Zardari's point of view on the issue."

He reiterated that if the judges were made functional before June 10 the lawyers long march would be transformed into countrywide celebration and thanksgiving day.

Aitzaz said he supported the suggestion of tabling resolution for judges' reinstatement in a joint session of parliament because in this way it would get the backing of all components of federation.

Dilating upon the details of long march, he said it would start from Multan where lawyers from Sindh and Balochistan would also gather. The deposed judges would lead the long march that after addressing Sahiwal and Okara Bar Associations would reach Lahore on June 11. From Lahore, it would start its journey towards Islamabad.

He appealed to the people to support long march call, saying Pakistan was passing through a decisive period of its history and the judges' restoration would turn a new leaf of it.

"It is the duty of students, traders, professionals, representatives of civil society and media to ensure reinstatement of deposed judges because the lawyers' are out to save country," he said.

Responding to a question, he said after February 18 lawyers had almost abandoned their activities but the government failed to keep its words twice. Now it is our right to record protest in a democratic way. He said judges could be restored in minutes because they are not 'deposed' but still judges under constitution. "There is need to make them functional only," he said.