Reference against judges divides lawyers

Group of lawyers belonging to PTI oppose strike call for June 14


Our Correspondent June 11, 2019
PHOTO: ONLINE/FILE

KARACHI: The lawyers' community in Karachi stand divided over references filed against the two judges of the Supreme Court (SC) of Pakistan. A faction of lawyers associated with the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) has refused to join the agitation planned by Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) on June 14 when the Supreme Judicial Council is scheduled to take up the references.

These lawyers took out a rally on Monday from the Sindh High Court while protesting against the decision of the SCBA. The rally led by Lawyers Action Committee President Mukhtar Junejo raised the slogans against the leadership of SCBA while condemning the call for strike on June 14. This PTI wing of lawyers exchanged hot words with other group of the members of the Bar led by SCBA President Amanullah Kanrani who told them that there would be a strike on June 14, come what may.

KBA supports strike

Meanwhile, Karachi Bar Association (KBA) President Naeem Qureshi announced complete support to June 14 strike. The decision came after SCBA president had a meeting with KBA president. Amanullah invited all KBA members to participate in the sit-in, protest and strike on June 14.

He said that the strike will be observed in the SC and high courts on June 14. We are not against accountability but Qazi Faez Esa's reference is based on ill-intention. Media trial and filing reference before inquiry is mala fide. The character/role of Esa as a judge is publicly known.

If accountability is to be done, so decisions should be taken on scores of references already pending before judicial forums. Qureshi offered complete support from the KBA members.

Qureshi said that since it is Bar Council's decision so it will be implemented.

Later in the afternoon, the Lawyers Action Committee of Sindh demanded withdrawal of the strike call for June 14 strike. The committee members, while addressing a press conference, said that the lawyers could not be held hostage by a handful of people sitting in their rooms.

The Lawyers Action Committee maintained that the judges were not beyond accountability and that the strike call given by various organisations representing lawyers was inappropriate. Certain lawyers have assumed control of the bar organisations.

Advocate Abdul Wahab Baloch  said that filing of the reference and its hearing was part of the law. Allegations against judges remained a secret until the judge spilled the beans himself. If he does not trust the judges of the higher court then the judicial system will also be not trusted.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 11th, 2019.

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