Supreme Court Bar Association of Pakistan (SCBAP) has seemingly expressed support for PTI Chairman Imran Khan as it condemns the recent actions by the government.
In a press release circulating on Twitter, the SCBAP has urged the PML-N government to refrain from taking part in any activities that would violate the constitutional rights of any political party. The SCBAP President Muhammad Ahsan Bhoon and Secretary Waseem Mumtaz Malik issued the statement.
“Right to protest and participate in any political activity is a fundamental right of every citizen of Pakistan and the government must not hinder the activities of any political party or stop any of them from exercising their fundamental right,” the SCBAP said.
The growing support for @ImranKhanPTI in the legal community is showing results. Supreme Court Bar Association issues statement demanding that Govt refrain from hindering activities of any political party and to stop illegal raids on residences of political workers and citizens. pic.twitter.com/iwqbxoUOCa
— Taimur Malik (@taimur_malik) May 24, 2022
To clarify, the government is determined to prevent PTI’s Azadi March from taking place. As a result, it has taken certain measures which have amassed criticism. Tuesday, the government imposed section 144 in Punjab for two months. All types of public gatherings exceeding four persons will remain banned in the province. All kinds of public events and rallies will also be prohibited. Moreover, the federal cabinet has decided not to let PTI go ahead with its long march.
Read more: Govt imposes section 144 in Punjab ahead of Azadi March
Apart from this, the Punjab police also launched a crackdown against PTI leaders. According to PTI’s Fawad Chaudhry, the police had conducted raids on 1,100 homes last night and entered people’s houses without any warrants.
“The raids being conducted on the residence of any political worker or citizen are totally unwarranted, against the law and the constitution,” SCBAP said.
PTI has the legal community’s support
Following his ouster, Imran Khan has gained the sympathies of the public. Various segments of the Pakistani society have expressed support for the former Prime Minister, including the legal community.
Earlier, after meeting PTI Chairman Imran Khan, a large group of lawyers from Faisalabad formally announced their joining of the party. Punjab Bar Council (PBC) member from Faisalabad, Imtiaz Lona, District Bar Association President Bilal Saeed Basra, and Faisalabad Bar Association former secretary Azhar Hanif Khan were also part of the delegation.
Read more: ‘Imported Hakumat Na-manzoor’ tweeted over three million times
The members of the delegation strongly condemned the overthrow of a democratically-elected government through “external conspiracies” and pledged full support to the PTI chief on the quest for “real freedom”. They also announced participation in the long march to Islamabad.
