PESHAWAR: Litigants suffered a lot as lawyers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa continued strike across the province for second consecutive day on Thursday against amendments to the Code of Civil Procedure (CCP) 1908 and anti-narcotics law.

The strike is being observed for an indefinite period on the call of KP Bar Council. The lawyers on strike are demanding reversal of the amendment to CCP and anti-narcotics law.

Amendments to the British-era CCP 1908 were introduced by the KP government with an aim to facilitating the litigants and providing them speedy justice. However, the lawyers are of the view that litigants have been deprived through the right of appeal with the district judge and they will have to approach the PHC now for appeals. The new narcotics law also ends the provision of bail through special court and litigants will have to move the high court for this purpose. The lawyers say these new amendments will further overburden the PHC.

Proceedings at different courts, including the Peshawar High Court, were badly affected due to absence of lawyers to pursue the cases and litigants coming from different areas to pursue their cases had to return without any hearing.

The KP Bar Council is of the view that the new amendments and laws will reduce the powers of district courts and litigants will also suffer. The lawyers expressed disappointment over silence of the government over the issue. They said protests will also be held outside the KP Assembly and PHC buildings if the government did not reverse the amendments.

The lawyers of KP also held a strike against the amendments last month. The strike started on December 09 and continued for three days after which the lawyers ended protest keeping in view the difficulties faced by litigants in courts. However, this time, the lawyers say they will not end strike until their demands are accepted.

The KP Bar Council Vice-Chairman Saeed Khan said the lawyers won’t accept controversial amendments and will continue strike against it. He also said that any Bar Council member found violating the Bar discipline or not following its agenda will face strict action. Saeed Khan said a joint meeting of bar associations and bar council will be held on January 15 to decide future course of action regarding the amendments.