Karachi Lawyers Declare ‘Black Day’ in Protest Against KP Emergency Rule

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court Bar Association (SHCBA) and Karachi Bar Association (KBA) have condemned the federal government’s recent imposition of emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), declaring today a ‘black day’ in solidarity with the province’s citizens.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the SHCBA criticized the government’s actions as ‘undemocratic,’ asserting that the legal community would stand united with the people of KP. The association emphasized that ‘peaceful protest is a fundamental democratic right of every citizen’ and called for the restoration of democracy in its true spirit.

The implications of this declaration are significant, as it highlights the growing discontent among legal professionals regarding the erosion of democratic norms in Pakistan. The SHCBA’s call for a black day reflects broader concerns about governance and civil liberties, resonating with citizens who fear the impact of such measures on their rights.

In response to the situation, the KBA has announced a suspension of work at City Courts starting at 11:30 AM today and plans to hold a general body meeting to discuss the implications of the emergency rule. This move indicates a potential escalation in legal protests against the government’s actions.