IHC withdraws contempt notice against bar’s secretary

Chief Justice Minallah restores licence of Umair Baloch

ISLAMABAD: The deadlock between the bench and bar that existed for over a week after Lahore incident finally ended after the Islamabad High Court Bar Association (IHCBA) Secretary Umair Baloch appeared before the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday.

The hearing on the contempt notice against the secretary was conducted by IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah. IHCBA President Raja Inaam Amin and office bearers of bar were present in the courtroom.

Justice Minallah had issued a show-cause notice for contempt and suspended the practicing licence of Baloch in a previous hearing.

IHC had issued a show-cause notice to Baloch on December 12 for professional misconduct and contempt and licence to practice before IHC until hearing on December 19.

The IHCBA secretary was asking lawyers not to appear before judges as the bar association was observing a strike against the December 11 incidents at Punjab Institute of Cardiology. At the outset of the proceeding on Thursday, the chief justice remarked that they would not let an external force exploit the situation. He expressed hope that the bar would protect the sanctity of the judiciary. The court withdrew the contempt notice and restored Baloch’s licence after he appeared before IHC.

“It is always enough that a person has realised his mistake,” Justice Minallah remarked, asserting that his court did not believe in awarding sentences in contempt cases.

The chief justice said that he issued the contempt notice with a very painful heart and remarked that the strength of the bench lies in the strength of the bar. “Only a strong bar can ensure the freedom of judiciary,” he added and recalled the role of the bar which was to develop the confidence of the litigants on the courts.

As the proceeding concluded, the secretary came out of the court making a victory hand. Talking to the media, Baloch said that the chief justice conveyed a good gesture by withdrawing the contempt notice and restoring his licence without any arguments on their part.

He thanked Minallah and reiterated that they were standing with the court today like they were previously.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 20^th, 2019.