LHCBA Multan chief: Lawyer in rowdiness case tenders apology

No one immune from appearing in courts, CJP rules

LAHORE: Law is equally applicable on all citizens and when even prime ministers are not immune from appearing before courts, how can a lawyer be spared from making court appearance, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar maintained on Wednesday.

The remark was passed as a five-member bench, led by the Chief Justice, was hearing an appeal filed by president of LHCBA’s Multan chapter president Sher Zaman Qureshi at the Supreme Court’s Registry here.

The application challenges the Lahore High Court’s (LHC) order calling for his arrest.



President of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) Rasheed A Rizvi and Hamid Khan, who appeared on behalf of Sher Zaman Qureshi, submitted their client’s apology in writing, stating that they respected the judiciary and bar’s respect was attached with the bench.

The counsels submitted that Sher Zaman could not appear before a five-member bench, led by LHC Chief Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, because of “inevitable circumstances”, adding that that was why they had filed an appeal against the order.

The chief justice remarked that non-implementation of the court’s order did not amount to contempt of court.

He said that when even prime ministers were not immune from appearing before courts, why a lawyer could not appear before the court.

He said the matter could be settled when Sher Zaman appeared before the court. He said Sher Zaman should have appeared before the court, informing it that he had not committed any contempt of court. Such evasions, he said, could not be applauded.

Justice Asif Saeed Khosa remarked that some people simply refused to appear before courts, adding that it was better for the judicial system if the individual concerned appeared before courts. He said that Sher Zaman’s refusal to appear before the court might pave the way for the destruction of the judicial system.

When President SCBA Rasheed A Rizvi contended that Sher Zaman was not involved in this incident, the larger bench sought report from the LHC registrar about the Multan incident.

However, the larger bench also restrained the LHC from proceeding till the Supreme Court ruled on the matter.

The case was later adjourned till the third week of October.

Lawyers hoisted Sher Zaman up on their shoulders, garlanded him and chanted slogans as lawyers arrived at the LHC. Lawyers also showered rose petals.