SBC flays PBC resolution calling for cessation of lawyers’ protest against six canals

The Sindh Bar Council (SBC) on Monday strongly condemned a Pakistan Bar Council resolution which called for the cessation of the ongoing lawyers’ protest against the proposed construction of six canals on the Indus River and allotment of state land for corporate farming.

Adopting a resolution, SBC vice chairman Shafqat Rahim Rajput, SBC former vice chairman Haider Imam Rizvi and 22 other members also condemned the SBC’s April 27 resolution which echoes the same call.

They said that no such meeting was convened nor was any such resolution circulated among the members for consideration or approval, adding that the purported resolution does not reflect the will or stance of the SBC.

They said that construction of six canals on the Indus River system and allotment of state land for corporate farming would pose a great threat to already precarious water situation in Sindh, jeopardizing the livelihoods of millions and the ecological balance of the Sindh.

SBC members said that they stand firmly with the Sindh lawyers’ action committee and fully commit to support and actively participate in ongoing struggle against the detrimental project in accordance with the decisions taken by the Sindh lawyers’ action committee.

They said they believed that it is their duty to stand with the people of Sindh in protecting their fundamental rights and resources. They demanded the Pakistan Bar Council and the secretary of the SBC clarify their position and acknowledge that their press releases do not represent the collective view of the legal fraternity, particularly the SBC.

They also demanded from all concerned to respect the democratic right to peaceful protest and to engage in meaningful dialogue to address the genuine concern of the people of Sindh regarding the construction of the six canals project and allotment of state land for corporate farming.

The SBC had earlier issued a resolution signed by its acting secretary appreciating political maturity in resolving the canal issue and asked the all stakeholders, including lawyers and civil society, to cease ongoing protest as the matter had been placed before Council of Common Interests.