Govt faces lawyers' ire over Imran hospital order

Eight PBC members demand action; LHC Bar leaders threaten protest

ISLAMABAD/ LAHORE:

Eight members of the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) and leaders of the Lahore High Court Bar Association on Saturday vehemently condemned the government's "blatant, wilful and deliberate" defiance of the Supreme Court's order directing the transfer of PTI founder Imran Khan to Shifa International Hospital, warning that continued non-compliance could undermine the rule of law and trigger protests.

The eight PBC members said the SC's August 18 order was "clear, unequivocal and binding" and that the executive had no authority to disregard it.

The PBC members also maintained that the government's decision to file a review petition did not suspend the order or authorise its non-compliance.

LHC Bar threatens protest

Similarly, speaking at a press conference, Lahore High Court Bar Association President Babar Murtaza said the court had taken its decision after examining the leader's medical reports, adding that the government's failure to provide him with treatment amounted to a violation of his fundamental rights.

PBC distances itself

Meanwhile, PBC Vice Chairman Pir Muhammad Masood Chistie clarified that the statement issued by eight of the council's 23 members represented the views of those individual members and could not be treated as the collective position of the PBC.

"In an institution governed by democratic principles, the minority cannot dictate the position of the majority," the statement said.

The PBC is an institution of the legal fraternity and must remain above political interests and personal agendas, it said, adding that neither the Bar Council nor the superior judiciary should be politicised or used for ulterior motives.