Lawyers stand for AQ Khan's release

Before and after incarceration of Dr AQ Khan, in December 2003, legal fraternity throughout the country never underrated his services for the country. At the time, propaganda machinery against Dr AQ Khan was firing on all cylinders at the official level, the Lahore High Court Bar held a special function to acknowledge and highlight his services for the nation and decorated the bar with his portrait. The 9 March 2007 action of General (r) Musharraf against Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhary deepened love and sympathy for Dr AQ Khan who then already a victim of the general.

In the subsequent time, dislike for Musharraf among the lawyers became two-fold when they juxtaposed the services of CJ and the scientist with that the dictatorship did to the country.

Throughout the movement, the legal fraternity never detached itself from release of question of Dr AQ Khan. Particularly, in the City, the lawyers fully supported and took part in every hunger strike and camp set up against the house arrest of Dr AQ Khan. The Save Judiciary Committee never showed laxity in projecting popular acceptance to the achievements of Dr AQ Khan. The committee for consecutive three months, held referendum to compare popularity of Dr AQ Khan and General (r) Musharraf and every time, Dr AQ Khan led his rival by miles. The committee had also announced Dr AQ Khan' candidature in the last presidential elections but failed to field him due to his detention.