The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) in collaboration with the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) wishes to announce the publication of a pictorial book that documents the development of the lawyers movement throughout the recent tumultuous months in Pakistan. The book covers all the events that occurred between March and July 2007. The publication, entitled “Peoples Power Calling for Reforms” can be accessed at: http://pakistan.ahrchk.net/chiefjustice/.
The 2007 lawyers movement in Pakistan has illustrated the ability of the countrys civil society to mobilize and change the course of history. Pakistans judiciary and advocates reacted to the anti-democratic removal of Pakistan’s Chief Justice Iftekhar Mohammad Chaudhry after an unconstitutional order by President General Pervez Musharraf on March 9, 2007 by launching nation-wide protests, which culminated in his reinstatement.
Through this book the AHRC and the PBC have documented the high-points of this unique movement in the region. The movement gave strength to lawyers and the judiciary to respond to the extra-constitutional designs of the state, and to fight for the supremacy of rule of law and for respect for the judiciary. This peoples movement has been recorded and documented to serve as an example not only for contemporary movements elsewhere, but also for coming generations in the fight against the tyranny of their rulers and abuses of human rights.
