PJC Stands in Solidarity with the Lawyers of Pakistan

The U.S.-based Pakistan Justice Coalition (”PJC”) is proud to stand in solidarity with the Pakistani lawyers movement in its quest to restore judicial independence and meaningful democracy to the country. We recognize the deplorable role played by the White House and remain committed to educating policymakers, lawyers, journalists, students and activists in America about the Rule of Law abuses in Pakistan.

The PJC’s commitment to the lawyers’ movement stems from our ethical and professional obligation to support our counterparts in their efforts to practice our shared profession with integrity. As citizens of the U.S., we also recognize that – as our own President so frequently claims – democracy and freedom are the strongest weapons available in the so-called “War on Terror.”

After visiting Pakistan as part of a factfinding delegation from the National Lawyers Guild in January, we compiled a report entitled Defending Dictatorship: U.S. Foreign Policy and Pakistan’s Struggle for Democracy. We also hosted a speaking tour featuring Hamid Khan and Sahibzada Anwar Hamid from Lahore, and Shahid Buttar and Ryan Hancock from the PJC. The 11-day tour addressed over 1,000 people in 24 audiences from a wide range of institutions. The delegation addressed:

(a) government representatives from the Department of State and House Committee on Foreign Affairs;
(b) bar associations in New York, Philadelphia and the National Lawyers Guild;
(c) policy analysts at the U.S. Institute of Peace, and Center for Strategic and International Studies;
(d) journalists from BBC, NPR, legal publications, Voice of America, local newspapers and international and Pakistani media;
(e) legal academic communities at NYU, Columbia University, the University of Pennsylvania, Rutgers-Camden, American University Washington College of Law and Brooklyn Law School; and
(f) human rights group Amnesty International.

Over the coming months, we will continue to support the lawyers movement by compiling and releasing analyses, organizing speaking events, coordinating letter-writing and call-in campaigns by grassroots supporters and hosting delegations of lawyers and journalists from Pakistan. We also welcome further suggestions from the bar associations of Pakistan and civil society about how we can most effectively lend support. We applaud you in your efforts to defend judicial independence, the Rule of Law and democracy, and we will continue to stand at your side in this hour of need.

In Solidarity,

Shahid Buttar, Esq.
Devin Theriot-Orr, Esq.
Ryan Allen Hancock, Esq.