Lawyers' body demand PM to step down

ISLAMABAD:  As the Supreme Court’s deadline approaches for submission of Panamagate report, the demand of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s resignation is also gaining momentum as the Lawyers National Action Committee on Saturday has asked the premier to step down after similar demand made by opposition parties, ARY News reported.

Addressing a press conference, President Islamabad High Court (IHC) Bar Arif Chaudhry has condemned the unwarranted criticism on Panamagate Joint Investigation Team (JIT) by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), alleging that the ruling party trying to impede the probe by design.

He insisted that it is constitutional responsibility of the sitting prime minister to respect and ensure protection to the state institutions rather than deterring the institutions to function smoothly.

The IHC bar president also announced a decision of chalking out a plan of action with regard to intensifying their campaign, seeking resignation of the premier.

Joining in the conversation, secretary IHC bar Aamir Saeed asserted continuation of week-long protest campaign against the prime minister following the submission of the probing team’s report on July 10 (Monday).

He said that unfair bashing on the JIT has proven the lawyers’ stance correct, adding that the lawyers’ committee to convene another meeting after submission of the probing team’s report.