Over contempt of court: Lawyers call off strike with immediate effect

PBC, PHC chief justice meet to resolve issue amicably

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Bar Council called off the lawyers’ strike with immediate effect after successful talks with chief justice of the Peshawar High Court Thursday afternoon.

Lawyers had been protesting the conviction of a colleague over contempt of court and had been on strike for two consecutive days, disrupting the business of judiciary. K-P Bar Council Executive Committee Chairperson Ijaz Saabi held a detailed meeting with PHC Chief Justice Mazhar Alam Miankhel in the latter’s chamber on Thursday to resolve the issue.

The council called off the strike and PHC admitted the appeal of concerned lawyer for further hearing. Earlier, during case proceedings, Miankhel while diverting attention of senior lawyer Advocate Qazi Mohammad Anwar expressed displeasure over lawyers’ protest against the decision of the court. “This act is also [like] a contempt of court,” Miankhel remarked. “Lawyers have the right to challenge or appeal against the decision.”

He recalled the bench has always extended due support and cooperation to the bar, and therefore expects a positive response from it.

The chief justice said such type of protests, boycotts, and strikes affect the public. Miankhel added everyone needed to help with the running of the system by honouring and respecting each other.

On the second day of their protest, lawyers boycotted court and hearings of almost all cases, including the most important ones, were adjourned at PHC as well as in other lower courts.

Accusations of corruption

According to Miankhel, lawyer Fakharyab Khan misbehaved with a judge and accused her of corruption. He added the lawyer failed to prove the allegations, thereby committing contempt of court for which he was sentenced after following procedure. The lawyers said sentencing Fakharyab to a month in prison for contempt of court was illegal.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 29^th,  2016.