ISLAMABAD: The lawyers went on countrywide strike and complete boycotts of courts against the issuance of the Presidential orders without consultation with Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Iftikhar Muhammed Chaudhry regarding the judges’ appointments, Geo News reported Monday.

The lawyers in large number rallied at Constitution Avenue and outside the Supreme Court (SC) and are raising slogans against President Asif Ali Zardari and Federal Law Minster Babar Awan.

The General Body of lawyers is slated to meet shortly at Constitution Avenue, amid heavy security there with several Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) stationed there.

Heavy contingents of police have been positioned at the important buildings including SC premises, Parliament House on Constitution Avenue. Also, the vehicles of Fire Brigade and ambulances have been put on alert on the spot to cope with any situation as it arises.

The lawyers in large number are arriving on Constitution Avenue from Rawalpindi to attend General Body meeting.

Talking to Geo News, Supreme Court Bar Association President Qazi Anwar said the conspiracy to split the lawyers fizzled out, as the courts’ boycott and strike by the lawyers proved that the lawyers stand united today as before.

Qazi asked the lawyers to gather outside the SC premises on February 18.