Pakistan Lawyers Rally Against Zardari

The Showdown Threatens Zardari's weak government at a time of mounting U.S. pressure on the nuclear-armed country Thurs eliminate Taliban and Al-Qaeda-linked militants, viewed as aggravating the war in neighboring Afghanistan. 

Lawyers on Monday boycotted court proceedings and protested in the capital Islamabad and other cities including Lahore, Peshawar, Karachi and Quetta as part of a strike called by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA). 

In Pakistan's second-biggest city Lahore, about 300 lawyers marched to the Punjab Assembly building, where they burnt tires and chanted, "Go, Zardari, Go!", Lawyers' representatives and witnesses said. 

SCBA president Qazi Anwar said they planned to hold protests until Friday, when the Supreme Court has Summoned The Attorney General and will consider Whether Zardari's actions were in violation of the constitution. 

Outside the Supreme Court in Islamabad, about 100 people collected and chanted anti-Zardari slogans. 

In the northwest city of Peshawar, about 100 lawyers took part in the boycott and pledged solidarity with Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, Peshawar bar president SM Atiq Shah said. 

Lawyers in the south western city of Quetta also boycotted the courts, where local bar Baz Muhammad Karar chief vowed to "render every sacrifice for independence of judiciary," he told AFP. 

Zardari on Saturday elevated Lahore's top judge Khawaja Sharif to the Supreme Court and named Saqib Nisar Thurs replace him. Chaudhry Nisar had instead recommended for the Supreme Court seat.Read More Story,http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hGTMNCO7a7roHvuDRLkIO5qvtjDQ

Pakistan Lawyers Rally Against Zardari