PLF observes ‘black day’ on coup anniversary

LAHORE: The People’s Lawyers Forum (PLF) observed a ‘black day’ on Tuesday to denounce the July 5, 1977, military takeover.

The PLF held a seminar at the Karachi Shuhada Hall of the Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) which was addressed by Justice (r) Fakharun Nisa Khokar, LHCBA president, Jahangir Badar, PPP secretary general, Makhdoom Tanvir Hashmi, PLF president, Shahid Mahmood Bhatti, former LHCBA secretary, and Adbul Rashid Qureshi, an LHCBA member.

Justice (r) Khokhar said that July 5 was the worst day in the history of Pakistan, when a military dictator overthrew a democratic government and destroyed all its institutions. She said that India’s military never interfered in its government affairs. She said that the Indian judiciary was working independently and never took any action on its government’s direction. She said Gen Zia abused religion in an attempt to create political legitimacy for his dictatorial rule. She said lawlessness and unemployment were “evils of military rule” and the country’s welfare and prosperity was not possible without eradicating these evils.

Badar said that it was the duty of democratic forces to strive for democracy in the country. He said that the PPP would continue its struggle against military rule as it had done in Gen Zia’s tenure.

Hashmi said that the PPP always raised its voice against military rule and it would continue its efforts under the leadership of Benazir Bhuttoo.

Bhatti said that during Zia’s 11-year tenure the country was almost bankrupted and there was total lawlessness. staff report

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