UK Lawyers Condemn imposition of emergency rule in Pakistan

Association of Pakistani Lawyers a team of Pakistani origin lawyers, Solicitors, Barristers, Judges in UK jointly condemn imposition of emergency rule by Chief of Army Staff and collaborating executive in Pakistan.

APL confirms that suspension of the 1973 constitution and basic human rights is against the law of the land and international law. We jointly make representation to international community to take notice of such intimidation of judiciary, press, lawyer community and free society and reject this imposition inviting General Musharraf to call for broad based national reconciliation ensuring participation of all political parties. If this gulf between common man and armed forces is not checked, the federation may suffer grave damage. We reject imposition of hurdles in citizen's rights to contact higher courts for justice and relief when Govt of the day fails to deliver.

In the current geo political situation in the country The President must consider an option of reconciliation with the people of Pakistan as Government with Steel Mill Judgment, land grabbing mafia, sugar and cement crisis, continuous stock exchange crash(es), and Nabbed' ministers amongst their ranks with introduction of so called "˜NRO' will struggle to prove the basic ingredients of emergency as we are neither at war nor under threat of an attack. However current situation desires all heads of constitutional tracheotomy to observe extreme patience and wisdom and be visionary to avoid conflicts which have serious repercussions for the state of Pakistan.

 APL demands that the military regime at once resort to civilian set up, announce date of elections, and appoint a care set up to hold free and fair elections.

APL claims that terrorism is a common menace and it can be fought with wisdom and political reconciliation and defusing hard line approach with reforms package, taking masses with the drive and alienating hard liners. General Musharraf's latest acts will further divide the civil society and true representation of people will be missing and these acts will further damage the cause.

APL further condemns the deteriorating law an order situation in Pakistan and arrests of lawyers and suppressing media. The government of the day must show political will to promote some integrity and tolerance to bear the voice of opposition, media, and civil society which is their democratic right as they claim in their "˜enlightened moderation' charter and the credit they take.

We all hope that Lawyers, media and Civil society's contribution is fruitful to bring Pakistan out of this constitutional crisis and we hope that it reaches to those rulers who make decision(s) to listen to it and act accordingly for rule of law, justice and supremacy of Constitution to save the federation and country from imminent dangers.

Amjad Malik, MA, LLM

Solicitor-Advocate of the Supreme Court of England and Wales
Life Member SCBA (Pakistan)
Chair Association of Pakistani Lawyers (UK)

00 44 1706 346 011 & personal email at: APLRochdale@aol.com

Mobile: 00 44 7770983308