Basit threatens to file reference against CJP
ISLAMABAD:
“I will send a reference against Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry to the President for having violated the law of evidence and for using political gimmicks during the hearing of the 18th amendment case,” roared frustrated federation counsel Dr Abdul Basit outside the Supreme Court building on Monday.
Earlier, during the hearing, the lawyer had been issued a show-cause notice for having misled the court. In his rejoinder to petitions challenging the 18th amendment, Basit had argued against the composition of the bench and the presence of the chief justice on the 17-member bench hearing the case.
Talking to the media later, Basit said he had been forced by the chief justice to pronounce the name of his client. “Today’s proceedings were a conspiracy to increase the gulf between the Presidency and the prime minister,” he said.
“I knew from the beginning political tricks would be used in today’s proceedings because only two judges out of 17 were speaking – Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry and Justice Khalilur Rehman Ramday – and the rest were quiet,” insisted Basit.
However, Basit conceded his fault in having caved in under the court’s pressure. “What I did went against my professional responsibility but the court, particularly the chief justice, are responsible for this,” he said. “The federation can terminate my services or even sue me for having named my client – punishment I am ready to face – but the Supreme Court has no right to accuse me of anything,” snarled Basit.
The lawyer also said he agreed with the statement given by the president’s principal secretary Salman Farooqi in court. “He gave this statement just to erase the impression that the Presidency is pleading this case but he also gave this statement in favour of the nation,” said Basit.
He further said he would send a reference against Chaudhry to the President of Pakistan. “Then it will be up to the president whether he sends the reference to the Supreme Judicial Council or not.”
Published in the Express Tribune, June 1st, 2010.
“I will send a reference against Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry to the President for having violated the law of evidence and for using political gimmicks during the hearing of the 18th amendment case,” roared frustrated federation counsel Dr Abdul Basit outside the Supreme Court building on Monday.
Earlier, during the hearing, the lawyer had been issued a show-cause notice for having misled the court. In his rejoinder to petitions challenging the 18th amendment, Basit had argued against the composition of the bench and the presence of the chief justice on the 17-member bench hearing the case.
Talking to the media later, Basit said he had been forced by the chief justice to pronounce the name of his client. “Today’s proceedings were a conspiracy to increase the gulf between the Presidency and the prime minister,” he said.
“I knew from the beginning political tricks would be used in today’s proceedings because only two judges out of 17 were speaking – Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry and Justice Khalilur Rehman Ramday – and the rest were quiet,” insisted Basit.
However, Basit conceded his fault in having caved in under the court’s pressure. “What I did went against my professional responsibility but the court, particularly the chief justice, are responsible for this,” he said. “The federation can terminate my services or even sue me for having named my client – punishment I am ready to face – but the Supreme Court has no right to accuse me of anything,” snarled Basit.
The lawyer also said he agreed with the statement given by the president’s principal secretary Salman Farooqi in court. “He gave this statement just to erase the impression that the Presidency is pleading this case but he also gave this statement in favour of the nation,” said Basit.
He further said he would send a reference against Chaudhry to the President of Pakistan. “Then it will be up to the president whether he sends the reference to the Supreme Judicial Council or not.”
Published in the Express Tribune, June 1st, 2010.