LHCBA reiterates demand for PM’s resignation

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) on Thursday reiterated its demand for Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's resignation.

It also expressed concerns over loss of lives in Quetta, Parachinar and Ahmadpur East.

The bar termed the incidents a glaring example of government failure to protect lives of people.

The lawyers also held a sit-in and chanted slogans against PM and the government over their failure to maintain law and order situation.

Presiding over a meeting, LHCBA President Chaudhry Zulfiqar Ali said Nawaz Sharif was facing criminal investigation regarding allegations of financial irregularities and money-laundering and he should step down. He said for a fair and free investigation and for supremacy of the law, the PM should resign.

He said after the Supreme Court verdict in Panama case, the PM was no more a righteous and honest person. He said an accused had to face investigation and he should avoid criticising the Joint Investigation Team (JIT), constituted by the apex court.

He criticised the PM for keeping mum over killing of men, women, youth and kids by Hindu extremists in occupied Kashmir. He said Kashmiris were forced to live in their own homeland as prisoners, but the Pakistani PM wanted to appease his Indian counterpart. That was why he did not utter a single word against atrocities against Kashmiris, he added.

He said that not only soldiers but also civilians including children and women have been killed by unprovoked Indian firing across the Line of Control, but the PML-N government was not ready to condemn that aggression.

He said that due to the prevailing situation, Pakistan and Nawaz Sharif could not go together.

LHCBA Vice President Rashid Lodhi said it was in the national interest that the PM leaves his office to face charges against him. He said that after Panama case, the PM had lost his credibility.

He said Nawaz aides should not feel proud that the PM was facing the investigation on corruption charges. He said lawyers would continue demanding resignation from Nawaz Sharif. He said the legal fraternity would stand with the judiciary and the JIT constituted by the SC.