Lawyers oppose IHC’s temporary shift to NIRC

The red zone location, lack of available space main issues.

ISLAMABAD:

The executive committee of Islamabad High Court Bar Association (IHCBA) unanimously opposed the temporary shifting of Islamabad High Court (IHC) from Court Complex in G-10/1 to NIRC Building.

The lawyers’ association stated on Friday that such a move was neither acceptable to them nor to the legal fraternity of the capital.

A letter has been written to Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, Chief Justice Islamabad High Court, Secretary Interior, Chief Commissioner Islamabad and CDA Chairperson informing them of IHCBA’s stance, Chaudhry Ashraf Gujjar, the bar’s president, told APP.

He said that NIRC building was built to accommodate 40-50 people, including members, officers and staff, whereas 300 people are associated with IHC, which includes judges, officers and other staff.

The premises are in the heart of red zone and will cause a lot of inconvenience to lawyers as well as litigants due to the fact that high alert and strict security measures are often adopted in that area, Gujjar said.

Moreover, the lawyer stated that there is no space for bar room, library, lawyers’ cafeteria, canteen for litigants, waiting rooms/sheds for litigants, offices for oath commissioner, notary public, stamp vendor, computer and other facilities in the proposed NIRC building.

Temporary shifting to the new premises will also put a burden on the national exchequer, as an expenditure of millions of rupees would be incurred on structural alterations and temporary constructions, added another lawyer.

The issue of parking is another worrying point for the lawyers as the small link road connecting to NIRC can provide a parking space only for 20 vehicles. This is in addition to the vehicles of officers and residents of Parliament Lodges, National Accountability Bureau,
Fatima Jinnah Women Hostel and other offices located nearby.

“The Executive Committee of the Bar has also expressed serious concern and displeasure because it had not been consulted on such an important issue,” Gujjar said.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 16^th, 2011.