KARACHI: Lawyers across the country are observing ‘Black Day’ to mark the tragic incident of May 12 (2007) as bereaved families of the victims still waiting for justice after 12 years of the mayhem.
The day when a series of violent clashes between rival political activists came on the front in Karachi and leftover 50 people dead and hundreds injured.
The unrest began as Former Chief Justice, Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhary, arrived at the Jinnah International Airport 0n 12 May 2007.
Gunfights and clashes erupted across the provincial capital as supporters and opponents of the judge, belonging to different political parties, took to the streets against each other.
City-wide riots escalated on the day despite the fact that several roads were off and all routes to the airport were blocked to avoid clashes between groups. In the carnage, more than 50 people were killed with several hundred injured and arrested. The violence continued for several days.
It is to be mentioned here that the then deposed CJP was to address at SHCBA function and he flowed to the port city. But he was not allowed to leave Karachi airport for attending the event and widespread violence and arsons hit the city.
A number of petitions, including a suo-motu, were filed over the incident but proceedings were subsequently dropped after Musharraf declared an emergency in the country and suspended the constitution.
