Quit Within 7 Days Or Face Nationwide Movement: Pakistan Lawyers To PM Nawaz Sharif

The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and the Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) on Saturday said that they would launch a countrywide movement if Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif doesn’t resign on the Panama Papers scandal within seven days.

“Both bar associations are of the view that in light of the Supreme Court’s ruling on the Panama Papers case (that questioned the moral authority of the premier to rule), PM Nawaz Sharif should no longer hold his office and should therefore resign,” a joint statement issued by the Bar Associations stated.

The statement pointed out the fact that the judgment in the Panama case has clearly indicted Mr. Sharif and his children for financial improprieties and corruption, and a joint investigation team has been formed to investigate him. The statement therefore asked the PM to step down till the final report of the joint investigation team was released, “for fair and independent inquiry against the premier.”

The statement was issued after the two Bar Associations clashed with the lawyers supporting the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML_N) Government. The incident took place at the all Pakistan Lawyers’ Representatives’ Convention on May 19. During the clash, SCBA President Rasheed A. Rizvi was locked in the Lahore High Court's library by PML-N lawyers. The locks were broken by SCBA members and Rizvi was released during the ruckus. The Police were then called in to control the situation.