SCBA, law ministry face off on law reforms

Bar association claims it was not consulted on the matter

ISLAMABAD:

The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) said on Thursday it was not consulted on the proposed Criminal Law Reforms, a claim vehemently denied by the Law Ministry.

The ministry said in a statement that the reforms document was sent out to the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC), all the provincial bar councils, the SCBA and all the high court bar associations for their input but it received no response from any of these organisations.

Earlier, SCBA President Ahsan Bhoon said in a statement that the “Criminal Law Reforms” proposed by the Law Ministry without consulting the stakeholders, particularly the legal fraternity, would pose grave dangers to existing criminal justice system.

Bhoon admitted that law reforms were necessary but cautioned against a unilateral approach towards such sensitive matter. He stressed that the consultative process should always be given priority in such matters of great public and judicial importance.

Hours later, the Law Ministry rejected the SCBA claim. “To say that lawyers, Bar Associations and Bar Councils have not been consulted is totally misleading. No infirmity in the Criminal Reforms has been pointed out in the so-called press release of the Supreme Court Bar Association of Pakistan,” it said.

“The proposed reforms are focused on quick and easy access to justice for vulnerable segments of society, including women and children. Those who are opposing these reforms are not sincere with people of Pakistan, in particular the weaker segments of society,” the ministry added.

Meanwhile, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain sought the role of judiciary and legal fraternity for implementing 'Criminal Law and Justice Reforms'.

The initiative was a big leap forward towards implementation of the rule of law in letter and spirit, he said while apprising delegations of tehsil, district, and high court bar associations of Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Mansehra, Havelian and Abbottabad about the reforms here.

Fawad assured the bar representatives of the government's full cooperation in resolving their issues on priority.             

 "The Federal Government is aware of their (lawyers) problems. Young lawyers will be given soft loans under the Kamyab Jawan Programme for constructing their chambers," the minister said.