Lawyers caught in the middle of political power struggle

Role of the two groups (Hamid Khan group and Asma group) is crucial in the ongoing judicial politics

ISLAMABAD:

The ongoing political tug-of-war has started affecting the country’s bars as several prominent lawyers are seen disowning their groups stance on major issues.

The Professional Lawyers Group, also known as the Hamid Khan Group, is considered close to the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) while the Independent Lawyers Group, also called the Asma Group is backing the PDM-led government.

Due to alignments of both the sections with political parties, lawyers have started airing views that run counter to the policies pursued by their respective groups. It has been observed that several lawyers, who are associated with political parties, even disassociated with their groups when it comes to the bar politics.

It has been observed that the PTI lawyers, namely Ali Zafar, Fawad Chaudhry, Faisal Chaudhry, and others who have been associated with the Independent Group for the last one decade, supported the Professional Group’s candidates in the last annual elections of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA).

Moreover, the role of the two groups is also crucial in the ongoing judicial politics wherein the Supreme Court judges are seen following two different ideological lines.

Interestingly, both the lawyers’ factions vehemently supported Justice Qazi Faez Isa against the PTI-led government's move to remove him.

However, the situation has changed. The Independent Group has been active for the removal of Supreme Court Judge Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi. A complaint of misconduct was filed in the Supreme Judicial Council by the Pakistan Bar Council wherein the Independent Group has majority.

On the other hand, Lahore High Court Bar Association President Chaudhary Ishtiaq Ahmed, who is a member of the Professional Group, has issued an statement in favour of Justice Naqvi.

Also read: Order sheet in SC suo motu case still awaited

Likewise, members of Professional Group have passed a resolution supporting Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial’s decision for holding elections in Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa within 90 days.

"We, the members of the Professional Group, are deeply disturbed over the situation in the country, particularly due to the act of certain political leaders and parties intending to violate the Constitution.

"We believe that the provisions of the Constitution are clear in the matter of the timing of the elections and any violation of the same shall have dire consequences for the country.

We appreciate the judgment of the Supreme Court in interpreting the provision of the constitution relating to the timing of holding the elections according to the letter and spirit of the Constitution.

"We wholeheartedly stand for the implementation of the judgment. We condemn the attempt on the part of certain political parties and leaders to attack the judiciary and make its proceedings and verdicts controversial. It is indeed an attempt on their part to defy clear provisions of the constitution and violates clear verdicts of the Supreme Court.

What is being done is an attack on the independence of the judiciary for partisan political reasons which the lawyers, and fraternity condemns in the strongest term.

“We, the lawyers, will not allow any attempt to sabotage the supremacy of the Constitution and independence of the judiciary in any form whatsoever."

This resolution is passed by the representative members of Professional Group from all over Pakistan at Lahore, on March 11 with a majority of 104 to 4.

However, Aman Ullah Kinrani, Syed Haider Imam Rizvi, Rabia Bajwa and Sardar Khurram Latif Khosa dissented to the extent of the judiciary issue.

While talking to The Express Tribune, Sindh Bar Council member Haider Imam Rizvi believes that he being professional group, will not support any SC judge who is facing serious charges of misconduct.

He also claims that several senior lawyers, namely Muneer A Malik and Rasheed A Rizvi, are supporting his stance on the judiciary.

Meanwhile, it is learnt that Abid Saqi, who is an active member of the Independent Group, has expressed serious reservations on his group’s policies since April last year when the regime was changed in the country.

One lawyer closed to Saqi told The Express Tribune that he is unhappy with the Independent Group's working favouring the PMLN for the last one year. However, Saqi will not support the judge who is facing charges of misconduct.