We, members of the civil society, strongly protest the 3 November 2007 assault on the Constitution, sanctity of the judiciary, and freedom of the media and fundamentals rights of the people of Pakistan. It had destabilized the country and brought ignominy and international censure.

Distress at the excessive and arbitrary use of brute force and mindful of the disastrous implications of these reckless acts for the security and integrity of Pakistan and the welfare of its people, we condemn the Black Day draconian measures and demand:

• Restoration of the Constitution through immediate withdrawal of the proclamation of emergency and the provisional constitutional order (PCO).
• Reinstatement of the honorable judges of the Supreme Court and the High Courts illegally removed on November 3, 2007.
• Immediate and unconditional release of the all the political prisoners including judges, lawyers, journalists and human rights activists.
• Immediate removal of all restrictions on the media and withdrawal of black laws designed to curb media freedom
• Fair, free and transparent elections following restoration of the Constitution and lifting of the emergency and ensuring the participation of all political parties under a national consensus government and an independent election commission.
• Strict adherence by the armed forces to their oath and constitutional role.

I applaud the courage and the wisdom of the honorable judges of the Supreme Court who declared the proclamation of emergency and the PCO illegal and unconstitutional.

I urge the entire nation to stand firm and united in the hour of trial and to resolutely and peacefully resist the dictatorial measures.