IHCBA condemns ‘frivolous reference’
On Tuesday, IHCBA president asked Justice Siddiqui not to pass order against the lawyers who had boycotted courts. PHOTO: EXPRESS/FILE
The Islamabad High Court Bar Association (IHCBA) has strongly condemned a reference filed to the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) against Islamabad High Court (IHC) judge Mohsin Akhtar Kayani and described it as “false and frivolous.”
In a statement issued after the IHCBA cabinet meeting on Saturday, the bar also expressed serious concerns over inclusion of the names of a few IHCBA members in the reference.
“The IHCBA believes that an attempt is being made to malign the honorable judge and respected members of the IHCBA. The bar shall not allow anyone to tarnish the image of our respected judiciary and members of the bar,” it said.
It said the IHCBA cabinet discussed the matter in detail and concluded that the honorable judge is performing his judicial duties with utmost honesty and uprightness.
“The bar cannot keep quiet on filing false and frivolous references against honorable judges. The IHCBA decided to remain firm in its unwavering support for our esteemed judge and honorable members of the IHCBA.
“Furthermore, we firmly assert that we shall not permit any conspiracy to succeed that aims to undermine our institution or blackmail our esteemed judges,” said the statement signed by four of the IHCBA office-bearers.
A lawyer from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa recently sent a complaint to the SJC—the highest forum that can hold judges of superior judiciary accountable—leveling various allegations against the senior IHC judge.
Some senior lawyers agree that complaints that are allegedly being filed against judges in reaction to their decisions will have a chilling effect on the whole judiciary.