Lawyers throughout Pakistan boycotted the courts on Tuesday in an effort to highlight their call for an early return to democracy. It was the first time since the military coup in October 1999 that lawyers had taken such action, the BBC reported. The Pakistan Bar Council (PBC), the profession's highest body which initiated the call, described the action as a complete success, the report said. Most courts in the country were affected as lawyers from both the Pakistan People's Party and the Muslim League joined together after the initial call to strike was issued by the PBC in the eastern city of Lahore two weeks ago. They demanded a return to democracy and the restoration of the constitution, as well as the withdrawal of the armed forces from national politics. Tuesday's strike was the first sign of protest from a major section of society; even the political parties had previously failed to mobilise widespread opposition, the report added.
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