SCBA protests harassment of Imran’s counsels

Urges Supreme Court chief justice to take notice

ISLAMABAD:

The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) issued a fervent appeal on Wednesday to the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP), urging immediate attention to the alleged harassment faced by lawyers Khawaja Harris and Naeem Haider Panjutha, who are representing the PTI chief.

The appeal came in the wake of notices being issued to them by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) as part of an inquiry related to purported Facebook posts attributed to trial judge Humayun Dilawar, responsible for the conviction of Imran Khan in the Toshakhana reference case.

As of the end of office hours on Wednesday, Harris had not appeared before the FIA's cybercrime cell to record his statement. However, Panjutha had already provided his statement to the FIA on Tuesday.

In a strongly worded statement, SCBA President Barrister Abid Zuberi and Secretary Muqtedir Akhtar Shabbir unequivocally demanded the immediate withdrawal of these "unlawful" summons, which they deemed to be in direct contravention of the law and the Constitution. The statement characterized these notices as a form of "blatant harassment," strategically designed to hinder lawyers from discharging their professional duties independently and without intimidation.

The SCBA highlighted that Panjutha had been held in FIA custody for over eight hours, terming it an "unlawful detention." Zuberi emphasized the significance of involving Judge Dilawar in any inquiry, deeming it both inadequate and biased if conducted otherwise. He underscored that the initial interrogation should have targeted the judge himself.

Equally, the SCBA vehemently condemned the lodging of an allegedly "false FIR" against Sher Afzal Khan Marwat, an apex court lawyer and legal counsel for the PTI chief. The statement expressed unyielding censure for these illegal actions and resolute support for the legal fraternity.

Zuberi raised a concerning incident involving the recent "abduction" of Harris's clerk, denouncing such actions as a violation of fundamental human rights and the rule of law. He underscored the detrimental impact on the principles of justice and fair play that form the bedrock of the legal system.

Asserting their commitment to justice and upholding the rule of law, the SCBA declared its determination to safeguard the rights of individuals. It reaffirmed that the legal community would stand united in solidarity and not be cowed by these "deplorable tactics."

Zuberi called upon the CJP to take cognizance of the alleged "arbitrary and discriminatory actions" and announced the SCBA's intention to legally challenge them. The Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) added its voice to the condemnation, emphasizing that the legal fraternity should remain detached from political affiliations.

In their joint statement, both organizations underscored the importance of a fair and impartial legal process, unmarred by intimidation or undue influence, and expressed their commitment to upholding the sanctity of the rule of law in Pakistan.