The Law Society has set up an online petition calling on the authorities in Pakistan to restore the rule of law.


Law Society President Andrew Holroyd said: 'I can think of no starker demonstration of commitment to the law than the extraordinary courage, fortitude and bravery of the lawyers we see in Pakistan.'



The petition, which has already been signed by more than 3,200 members of the profession and others, is to be presented to the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, on 23 November. It can be signed at www.lawsociety.org.uk.



The petition coincided with a motion unanimously passed by the Law Society Council at its 14 November meeting, expressing concern that the independence of the legal profession and judiciary were being seriously undermined in Pakistan.



It called upon General Musharraf's regime to reinstate the constitution, release detained lawyers and judges, and allow practitioners to exercise their freedom of expression and assembly.



Jonathan Rayner