“Whichever lawyer I contact refuses to cooperate with me,” Riaz told the court. “Raymond Davis could hire a lawyer but I cannot.”
“The worst of men are able to find a lawyer to represent them,” responded Justice Gulzar. “Why are you unable to find one?”
Riaz replied that with the media and bar associations against him, no one was willing to take his case.
Justice Shakirullah Jan then directed the Rawalpindi and Islamabad bar associations to not put restrictions on any lawyers in this regard.
Riaz pleaded for a time period of 10 days for getting a lawyer, saying that he was in talks with some but was given only seven days by the court.
The hearing was adjourned till June 28.
Earlier, all lawyers of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) and district bar, in a general body session, had unanimously agreed that none of them would fight any cases pertaining to Malik Riaz or Bahria Town.
COMMENTS (17)
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Malik Riaz hasn't murdered someone like Salmaan Taseer. Hence its hard for lawyers to feel good about representing him.
@PARDESI: I agree with you 100%. If I may, these lawyers say Namaz Janaza of OBL Even a common man knows a person is innocent till proven guilty. In the kangaroo courts and lawyers the person is guilty and hateful because they blindly favor PCO CJ. Malik Riaz's only crime is he has exposed CJ's son for taking hundreds of millions. How would these lawyers feel if they get sick and all the doctors refuse to treat them? No wonder it was said long ago: Paida huwa wakil to shaitan ne kaha Lo aaj hum bhi saahibe aulad ho gaye Regards, Mirza
@Sultan after this comment you probably went to somewhat similar article criticizing to why CJ takes continous suo moto actions and indulget itself in administrative processes. The point is; nothing that CJ does make commentators like yourself happy. If he do take suo moto; "why", if he doesnt take suo moto; "why not !". You guys need to clear your heads understanding the fact that a solid executive and competent executive is the heart and soul of every country. No matter how strong military or judiciary is; if the so called elected representatives have their hands clean, no judiciary or military can undermine them, e.g Turkey. Unfortunately the representatives the so called democracy is proud of is down right corrupt and incompetent. Hope you don't blame juidiciary and CJ for the problems with the electricity, poverty.
The lawyers and Judiciary are not sacred cows. If morality on their part would be that much strong then why CJP couldn't get hold of his son's actions. In Pakistan, the essence of democracy is being ruined again and again. No body can held his opinions, beliefs and expressions. Independent judiciary doesn't mean that other institutions and corners are dependent on Judiciary.
one of the richest man in Pakistan cant get a lawyer, yes humanity is helpless.
Going very soft - we expected CJ to take SM notice against the lawyers and their organizations for denying fundamental human rights to Mr Riaz Malik.
I wonder if Malik Riaz could use his millions to get a top lawyer from abroad to represent him; the SC could certainly dispense with the need of such a lawyer requiring a licence from one of the local bars. This would also counter the allegations that some level against the judiciary that they are biased and not willing to listen to defence lawyers.
Let malik riaz get a lawyer from london...he can pay generously as we have seen already.let court allow foreign lawyer to take his case.
Devil's advocate required
Even Nazi war criminals have the right to an attorney to defend themselves. Good decision by the Supreme Court.
No lawyer is willing to take up the case of Mr.Riaz due to two reasons. Firstly, due to lack of trust in the judiciary. They fear that by taking the case of Mr.Riaz they would invite the wrath of CJ and his companions and shall not be able to get any verdict in their favour in future. Secondly, they would be barred from Bar Councils and Associations as has happened in the case of respected lawyers Aitezaz Ahsen and Asma Jehangir. It is rumoured that Bars are taking actions at the behest of CJ. Hence, in order to remove all the doubts and to keep the integrity of the SC intact and to let the justice be done and seen to be done the CJ must take suo moto notice against the ostracising Bar Councils and cancel the licences of the office bearers
SC orders bars not to stop lawyers from representing Riaz,,, would have been much better headline,,, only a suggestion,, regards
Every one should have right to legal defence, even the criminals have this right
These lawyers will through rose petals on the killer of the punjab governer, will beat up police and kill innocent children hired by their families to work at their homes. Dispicable lot
If no lawyer is ready to fight his case then why not Malik Riaz fight his case himself. If he can do press conference alone then fight his case too.