Not a single high-profile criminal has been convicted because of the role of prominent lawyers
LAHORE: This letter is with reference to reports about a conference organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association in Lahore. The judiciary has a very difficult role to perform and its objective to deliver justice to victims of abuse by state or individuals is at variance with the role of lawyers who are engaged even by criminals to protect them from punishments, often relying on technicalities. There are very few lawyers who have followed noble examples laid down by prominent icons like the Quaid-e-Azam, Allama Iqbal or even Mahatma Gandhi. Where were all the prominent members of the Bar when the murderers of Shahzeb, Hamza and others were being facilitated and thousands of containers loaded with weapons went missing?
The whole country has seen the manner in which a model, caught red-handed while smuggling currency, has had her indictment delayed through the efforts of her lawyers and the manner in which the murder of a customs officer has been sidelined. Hundreds of police officers have been killed in Karachi and minors subjected to rape, but hardly any prominent lawyer, who has the support of the bar association, has been seen protecting the weak or making an attempt to restore the rule of law in Pakistan. Not a single high-profile criminal involved in illegal occupation of state and private-owned land has been convicted because of the role of prominent lawyers, who charge exorbitant fees.
What action has the bar taken against several of its members who have assumed the role of consigliere for the numerous criminal mafia dons and high-profile white criminals, who have done more harm to this country than some of our worst enemies?
Malik Tariq Ali
Published in The Express Tribune, January 20th, 2016.
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