ISLAMABAD: The 208th meeting of the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC), which was held here on Tuesday, condemned the recently-passed 21st Constitutional Amendment and amendment to the Army Act.

The PBC meeting, which was held under the chairmanship of Salman Aslam Butt, the Attorney General for Pakistan, decided to move Supreme Court to challenge the 21st Amendment.

The PBC unanimously passed the following resolution:

"The Pakistan Bar Council is extremely disturbed at the manner in which the 21st Amendment to the Constitution was passed by the Parliament and so strongly condemned the same. The establishment of the Military Courts has severely undermined all principles of independence of the judiciary and deprived citizens of due process more particularly as it violates fundamental rights of the people as enshrined in Articles 9, 10, 10-A and 25 of the Constitution. The Council expressed its grave concern on continued undue interference of military establishment in political affairs of the State specially pertaining to foreign affairs and internal security.

"The Pakistan Bar Council, therefore, after lengthy and deep deliberations has decided to file a Constitutional Petition in Supreme Court, challenging the 21st Amendment in the light of fundamental rights guaranteed in the Constitution and its impact on the judicial system. The Pakistan Bar Council remains mindful that the Parliament is the Supreme legislative body and represents the will of the people. However, it cannot deprive the citizens of the Country of their fundamental rights to fair trial and right to appeal before superior Courts of the Country in case of miscarriage of justice.

"The Pakistan Bar Council is bewildered at the establishment of military courts in Gilgit and Baltistan as well as Azad Kashmir. Such an action is totally unconstitutional and will only encourage negative forces towards taking more extreme positions.

"The Pakistan Bar Council also resolved to request the legal fraternity to OBSERVE BLACK DAY on 29TH JANUARY, 2015 throughout Pakistan when Bar Associations will hold protest meetings in their Bar Rooms against the 21st Constitutional Amendment and the Lawyers will also wear black bands while appearing in Courts.

"The Council, however, resolves that the legal fraternity will play a constructive role in presenting legal reforms in the criminal justice system to meet the challenge of terrorism and the Council offered its fullest support to the Government to curb menace of terrorism and would willingly render its professional support and assistance for necessary legislation in this regard.

"The Pakistan Bar Council is deeply aggrieved at the tragic event of Peshawar Army Public School & strongly condemns the shameful act of terrorists. The Pakistan Bar Council shares the grief suffered by the affected families. It also realizes that the event has had a traumatic effect on the children of this country. The Pakistan Bar Council, therefore, calls upon the Government to provide security to educational institutions and parents in providing protection to Schools and Colleges."

Salman Aslam Butt, Attorney-General for Pakistan & Chairman, Pakistan Bar Council, attended the meeting only for election of the Vice-Chairman where after he left on account of his other official pre-occupations. The rest of proceedings of the meeting were conducted under the Chairmanship of Azam Nazeer Tarar, the newly elected Vice-Chairman of the Council.