Pak Lawyers threaten nationwide movement if ‘Nawaz Sharif does not resign in 7 days’

The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and the Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) have threatened Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif to step down in seven days otherwise they will launch a countrywide movement.

“Both bar associations are of the view that in light of the Supreme Court’s ruling on the Panama Papers case, the prime minister should no longer hold the position and should, therefore, resign,” Dawn news reported a joint notification issued by the two bar associations as saying.

"For fair and independent inquiry against the premier, Nawaz Sharif should step down till the final report of the JIT. In case he does not resign till May 27 the lawyers throughout Pakistan will launch a nationwide campaign and movement to ensure his resignation,” the statement said.

The notification from lawyers came soon after SCBA and LHCBA members clashed with lawyers supporting the ruling Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) government at all Pakistan lawyers’ representatives convention on Saturday.

The lawyers in Pakistan had in 2007 launched a massive movement after ex-President Pervez Musharraf ousted the then chief justice Iftikhar Chaudhry’s.

However, the movement gained momentum that forced Musharraf to reinstate the judiciary.

The latest threat from lawyers came after Supreme Court’s verdict on Panama Papers case which directed to constitute a Joint-Investigation Team (JIT) to investigate the role of Prime Minister Sharif and his son for alleged corruption.

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