Appeal for
Support to Lawyers and Judges in Pakistan
By Asma Jahngir
Advocate Supreme Court of Pakistan
Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission of
Pakistan
I
am fortunate to be under house arrest while my
colleagues are suffering. The Musharaf government
has declared martial law to settle scores with
lawyers and judges. While the terrorists remain
on the loose and continue to occupy more space
in Pakistan, senior lawyers are being tortured.
The civil society of Pakistan urges bar associations
all over the world to mobilize public opinion
in favor of the judges and lawyers in Pakistan.
A large number of judges of superior courts are
under arrest. Thousands of lawyers are imprisoned,
beaten and tortured.
In particular the cases of Muneer A Malik, Aitzaz
Ahsan, Tariq Mahmood and Ali Ahmed Kurd are serious.
Muneer A Malik, the former President of the Supreme
Court Bar Association and leader of the lawyers’
movement has been shifted to the notorious Attack
Fort. He is being tortured and is under the custody
of the military intelligence. Tariq Mahmood, former
President of the Supreme Court Bar Association,
was imprisoned in Adiala jail. No one was allowed
to see him and it is reported that he has been
shifted to an unknown place. Mr. Ali Ahmed Kurd,
former Vice Chair of the Pakistan Bar Council
is in the custody of military intelligence and
being kept at an undisclosed place. Mr. Aitzaz
Ahsan, President of the Supreme Court Bar is being
kept in Adiayala jail in solitary confinement.
Representatives of bar associations should approach
their governments to pressure the government of
Pakistan to release all lawyers and judges and
immediately provide access to Muneer A Malik,
Tariq Mahmood, Ali Ahmed Kurd and Aitzaz Ahsan.
The bars are also urged to hold press conferences
in their country and express their solidarity
with the lawyers of Pakistan who are struggling
to establish the rule of law.
