LHCBA warns PTI against ‘maligning judiciary’

Petitions may be filed to restrain leaders from criticising judges

LAHORE:

The Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) has cautioned former prime minister Imran Khan and Punjab Governor Umar Sarfraz Cheema over their alleged remarks against the judiciary and threats to file a reference against a judge.

LHCBA president Akbar Ali Dogar said at a press conference that lawyers might hold conventions across the province and file petitions to restrain the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) from criticising judges and threatening to file a reference against a judge who had ordered the National Assembly speaker to swear in Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz.

“The PTI has the right to file appeals against decisions rather than spreading hate against judges,” he said.

The LHCBA president said the PTI leaders had praised the courts when their decisions came in the party’s favour and when former prime minister Nawaz Sharif was removed but resorted to criticism after adverse orders.

Responding to a question raised by former PM Khan, he said there was no bar on court timings, recalling that the courts had functioned even on Sunday in former chief justice Mian Saqib Nisar’s era.

Dogar said the PTI should adopt legal means rather than spreading hate against judiciary.

“We are with the judges and will not let the PTI speak freely against the judiciary,” he warned.

He also said that giving statements about filing references against judges was tantamount to threatening them.

The bar condemned such statements and a campaign launched to malign the judiciary, he added.

Other representatives of the bar association were also present on the occasion.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 10^th, 2022.