‘Derogatory remarks’ case: For reconsideration, SC refers lawyer’s apology to IHC judge
Court to resume hearing today.
Bhatti’s nomination papers are challenged in the IHC. PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD:
The Supreme Court has sent the unconditional written apology of a lawyer to an Islamabad High Court (IHC) judge for reconsideration.
On March 7, IHC Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui suspended the licence of Shafqat Bhatti, who is a candidate for president in the Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) Rawalpindi division elections being held on March 15.
According to details, Bhatti’s nomination papers were challenged in the IHC. Last week, he objected to Justice Siddiqui hearing one of his cases on the grounds that the two were political rivals in the past.
During the proceedings, Bhatti reportedly uttered derogatory remarks against Justice Siddiqui, after which the judge suspended his license and referred the incident to the Pakistan Bar Council for disciplinary action.
Bhatti then challenged the March 7 IHC order in the Supreme Court.
A three-judge bench of the apex court headed by Justice Nasir ul Mulk took up his appeal on Tuesday.
During the hearing, Supreme Court Bar Association President Kamran Murtaza alleged that the judge had suspended Bhatti’s licence without hearing his arguments.
Zulfiqar Naqvi, another lawyer for the petitioner, claimed that Bhatti’s opponents wanted him ousted from the upcoming bar elections because he is a popular candidate.
He requested the bench to allow the petitioner to contest the bar elections.
On the other hand, the bench examined the IHC’s reference against the petitioner and expressed annoyance over the petitioner’s use of derogatory language. “We will not allow anyone to destroy the institution (judiciary),” Justice Amir Hani Muslim remarked.
Justice Nasirul Mulk also observed that under the circumstances, it was difficult for the court to allow the petitioner to contest the elections.
However, after lengthy deliberation among the judges, the bench asked the applicant to submit a written apology which they would send to the IHC judge for reconsideration.
The court has also directed the election board to refrain from issuing its final list of candidates, which was due on Tuesday.
The hearing was adjourned till Wednesday.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 12th, 2014.
The Supreme Court has sent the unconditional written apology of a lawyer to an Islamabad High Court (IHC) judge for reconsideration.
On March 7, IHC Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui suspended the licence of Shafqat Bhatti, who is a candidate for president in the Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) Rawalpindi division elections being held on March 15.
According to details, Bhatti’s nomination papers were challenged in the IHC. Last week, he objected to Justice Siddiqui hearing one of his cases on the grounds that the two were political rivals in the past.
During the proceedings, Bhatti reportedly uttered derogatory remarks against Justice Siddiqui, after which the judge suspended his license and referred the incident to the Pakistan Bar Council for disciplinary action.
Bhatti then challenged the March 7 IHC order in the Supreme Court.
A three-judge bench of the apex court headed by Justice Nasir ul Mulk took up his appeal on Tuesday.
During the hearing, Supreme Court Bar Association President Kamran Murtaza alleged that the judge had suspended Bhatti’s licence without hearing his arguments.
Zulfiqar Naqvi, another lawyer for the petitioner, claimed that Bhatti’s opponents wanted him ousted from the upcoming bar elections because he is a popular candidate.
He requested the bench to allow the petitioner to contest the bar elections.
On the other hand, the bench examined the IHC’s reference against the petitioner and expressed annoyance over the petitioner’s use of derogatory language. “We will not allow anyone to destroy the institution (judiciary),” Justice Amir Hani Muslim remarked.
Justice Nasirul Mulk also observed that under the circumstances, it was difficult for the court to allow the petitioner to contest the elections.
However, after lengthy deliberation among the judges, the bench asked the applicant to submit a written apology which they would send to the IHC judge for reconsideration.
The court has also directed the election board to refrain from issuing its final list of candidates, which was due on Tuesday.
The hearing was adjourned till Wednesday.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 12th, 2014.