Hybrid Plus Martial Law Imposed in Country, Lawyers Must Uphold Constitution: Nasrullah Zarey

**Quetta:** Nasrullah Khan Zarey, provincial president of the Pashtunkhwa National Awami Party, has warned that the country is currently under a “hybrid plus” system, a form of de facto perpetual martial law, undermining the constitution, law, and democratic values. He emphasized that in such critical times, not only political parties but the legal community also has a national and constitutional responsibility to defend the supremacy of the constitution, judicial independence, and fundamental human rights.

Zarey expressed these views while congratulating the newly elected office-bearers of the Quetta Bar Association, including President Advocate Aurangzeb Khan, Deputy Secretary Advocate Sheriar Khan Lodhi, and General Secretary Mir Fahad Mengal, at their offices in the district court. Leaders and members of the Pashtunkhwa Lawyers Unit and PNAP, including provincial deputy secretaries and district executive members, were also present.

He praised the historical role of lawyers in Pakistan for resisting authoritarianism and defending democratic rights, noting that their role is now more crucial than ever as unconstitutional measures continue to weaken state institutions and disenfranchise the public.

Newly elected Quetta Bar Association President Aurangzeb Khan thanked the PNAP delegation and affirmed that the legal community will not remain silent in the face of the ongoing unconstitutional and anti-democratic environment. He stated that lawyers will soon formulate a unified strategy to uphold constitutional supremacy, human rights, and democratic values.

Both sides reiterated their commitment to collaborate—political forces and the legal fraternity alike—to overcome the current crisis, restore democracy, and protect the rights of the citizens.