Who’s harassing innocent lawyers? questions IHC chief justice

Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice Athar Minallah,on Friday, expressed anger over police raids on houses of innocent lawyers not involved in the attack on the Chief Justice Block.

Justice Minallah sought a comprehensive report from the deputy commissioner and the Islamabad senior superintendent of police (SSP) Operations.

The petitioner, Advocate Nazir Jawad, said he was not involved in the protest or the attack. Despite this, police raided his office on Thursday, he added. Following his complaint, the deputy commissioner and the SSP operations appeared before the court on a two-hour notice.

Justice Minallah reiterated that innocent lawyers should not be harassed under any circumstances. The chief justice asked the SSP, "Is there a game being played on this issue? You are harassing innocent people instead of the real culprits; this court will not allow anyone to play any game.”

The CJ directed the SSP to inquire into the matter and find out who is behind it. “Who is harassing innocent lawyers? I need action against them,” he demanded, giving the SSP till tomorrow to report to the court. He told the SSP to find out who is playing this game, saying it looked as if they wanted to save the real culprits. “Whoever wants to save the real culprits, name them in the court,” he directed.

Meanwhile, the registrar’s office of the IHC constituted five benches to hear contempt of court cases against 32 lawyers. The cases will be heard on February 18, however, Justice Minallah himself will not preside over the hearing.

Bails rejected An Anti-Terrorism Court rejected the post-arrest bail petitions of four lawyers allegedly involved in storming the IHC.

ATC Judge Raja Jawwad Abbas Hassan heard the postarrest bail petitions of Naveed Malik, Zafar Ali, Nazia Bibi, and Shoaib Sheikh. Prosecutor Mian Aamir Sultan Goraya, opposing the bail, maintained that there is no need for arguments in this case. "We have been educated on etiquettes, and the sanctity of the court is our top priority," he added.

He contended that the AntiTerrorism Act sections are applicable in this case, adding that the terrorism clauses will not be reviewed now, but at the trial stage, and requested the court to dismiss the bail pleas.

Referring to the lawyers, the defence counsel questioned, "Are those donning black courts terrorists?" The counsel read out the FIR before the court and maintained that according to the apex court, the court will have to review whether ATA Section 7 applies in this case.

The counsel expressed regret over the unfortunate incident at the IHC, however, they asked how the lawyers who were not present on the scene could be named in the case and arrested. They further pleaded with the court to order the release of the innocent lawyers, adding that the lawyers did not enter the Chief Justice block with an intention to attack.

The court reserved the judgment after hearing the arguments and later announced the dismissal of the bail pleas in its judgment. IBC announces protest A meeting led by the Islamabad Bar Council Chairman Zulfiqar Ali on Friday announced observing a protest rally for re-construction of the demolished chambers and the release of the arrested lawyers.

The attendees of the meeting demanded an immediate release of the arrested lawyers and that no further arrests of the lawyers should be made.

The meeting decided that all the lawyers will gather on Saturday (today) at Sector F-8 Katchehri and rally towards D-Chowk to stage a protest in favour of their demands.