Lawyers observe black day against targeted killings

On the call of President of Supreme Court Bar Association Ms Asma Jahangir and Pakistan Bar Council legal fraternity on Monday observed countrywide black day and complete strike on Monday to protest growing targeted killings of members of the legal fraternity.
All bar associations observed black day, black flags hoisted, lawyers completely boycotted courts proceedings and staged protest demonstrations. General body meetings were also held to chalk out future course of action regarding the issue. Speaking on the occasion, Chaudhry Sagheer Ahmed, President of High Court Bar stated targeted killings of lawyers and citizens by criminals or law enforcers are on the rise in all provinces. "The mechanism to protect human rights exists no where in the country. People are begging for justice," he said. He observed that incidents of kidnapping of lawyers have become a routine and no action is being taken in this regard. He added that culprits are rarely arrested and also go scot-free due to state machinery's inefficiency. He also said growing VVIP security and protocol culture of rulers is a big joke with the country and its people who were badly suffering due to the deteriorating law and order situation.
HCBA President said that present democratic system has failed to deliver to masses according to their aspirations. "We waged struggle for strengthening democratic system and institutions. But merely conducting elections does not mean existence of true democracy. Democracy means giving equal rights to every citizen, empowering vulnerable segments of society like minorities, women folk. Unfortunately present democratic system, which itself is facing uncertainty, has failed to deliver," he said.
He expressed concern over the functioning of judiciary, saying junior judges are being promoted and lawyers not considered for appointment as judges to high courts. "We want people from all segments of society urban and rural to sit on benches. Progressive-minded people, who struggled for independence of judiciary, are ignored in the process of appointing and evaluation of judges and lawyers." He said in recent meetings code of conduct of bar associations was also discussed and it needs improvement, which must be brought about.