PBC urges president to announce election date

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Bar Council (PBC), the top regulatory body of lawyers in the country, on Tuesday asked the president to to fulfill his constitutional duty by announcing election date, as per the constitutional requirement.

In a statement issued after the All Pakistan Lawyers’ Conference, the PBC urged all the major political parties to take necessary steps to ensure the timely holding of elections and the smooth transition of power.

The statement said that the legal fraternity would not be used for any political party’s agenda and would remain neutral.

PBC slams caretaker govt’s ‘do nothing approach’

The All Pakistan Lawyers Representatives Conference convened today at the Pakistan Bar Council’s office within the Supreme Court Building, Islamabad. Chaired by Haroon-ur-Rashid, Vice-Chairman, and Hassan Raza Pasha, Chairman of the Executive Committee, Pakistan Bar Council, the conference addressed several critical national issues.

Among the key topics discussed were the prevailing constitutional crisis, raids on lawyers’ residences leading to FIRs against them, the urgency of general elections, rising prices, including soaring electricity bills and petrol costs, the issue of missing persons, and a reference filed against a Supreme Court Judge by the Pakistan and Provincial/Islamabad Bar Councils. The conference arrived at the following unanimous decisions:

Urgent General Elections

Expressing deep concern over speculations surrounding potential delays in the general elections, the conference called upon the Election Commission of Pakistan to conduct free and fair general elections within 90 days, as stipulated in Article 224 of the Constitution. The President of Pakistan was urged to fulfill his constitutional duty by announcing the election date, for the preservation of constitutional supremacy.

Addressing Economic Challenges

The recent significant spikes in electricity bills and petrol prices were met with serious concern. The conference decried the hardships faced by citizens while noting that government officials and public sector corporations enjoyed free electricity, gas, petrol, and other benefits at the expense of billions of rupees. Consequently, the government was urged to immediately cease such privileges for state officials, ensuring equal facilities for all, eliminating discrimination.

Equality and Accountability

The conference proposed that high-ranking officials, from the prime minister down to secretaries in both federal and provincial governments, who draw salaries from the public treasury, should not be allowed to leave the country after retirement.

Additionally, their children should receive education in public schools/colleges and medical treatment from public hospitals. Failure to comply should result in their resignation. The conference underscored the importance of equal facilities and treatment for children regardless of their economic background.

Judicial Accountability

The designated Chief Justice of Pakistan was urged to expedite the consideration and resolution of references filed against a Supreme Court Judge by the Pakistan Bar Council and Provincial/Islamabad Bar Councils, in accordance with the law.

Protecting Advocates’ Rights

Strong condemnation was directed towards the unjustified manhandling and arrests of lawyers while performing their professional duties. The conference demanded the immediate release of all detained advocates and the full implementation of the “Lawyers Protection Act.”

Safeguarding Rights of Missing Persons

The conference called for the prompt production of all missing persons before a court of law.

Upcoming Lawyers Convention

An “All Pakistan Lawyers Convention” under the patronage of the Pakistan Bar Council will be organized by the Punjab Bar Council within the next few weeks, focusing on upholding constitutional supremacy in Pakistan.

Political Responsibility

The conference underscored the responsibility of political parties to expedite elections within 90 days and emphasized that the legal fraternity should not be instrumentalized for any political party’s agenda. An “All Parties Conference” on the recent “economic crisis” was urged to be organized by the interim government without delay. A delegation from the Pakistan Bar Council will meet with the caretaker prime minister to foster political consensus.

Nationwide Strike

On Saturday, September 9, 2023, lawyers across the country will observe a complete strike in all courts, with no lawyers appearing, in solidarity with the general public and to protest the above-mentioned issues.