Pakistan Lawyers Protest Against Anti-Government Sit-Ins

Lawyers across Pakistan are boycotting judicial proceedings as counter-protest to anti-government sit-ins in the country's capital, Islamabad. 



The lawyers demonstrated outside the Supreme Court and regional high courts, saying they wanted to protect the country's fragile democracy. 



"Pakistan's lawyers' fraternity stands alongside democracy and democratic forces in line with their struggle in 2007," said the Supreme Court bar association's president Kamran Murtaza, referring to a lawyers movement that ultimately contributed to the end of military rule in 2007. 



 Thousands of protesters led by cricketer turned politician Imran Khan have staged a week-long demonstration calling for Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to resign and are currently staging a sit-in outside parliament. 



The lawyers believe the ouster of an elected government through unconstitutional means would derail democracy.



Khan's Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaaf party agreed to talks with the government after the country's powerful army called for a peaceful settlement to the dispute. The protests have raised fears that prolonged instability could lead to the army intervening and possibly re-establishing military rule. 



Khan's supporters have been joined by those of cleric Tahir-ul-Qadri, who want not only the removal of Sharif but also the end of electoral politics. 



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