Imran Khan’s address: IHCBA members object to PTI chief’s speech

Say he is a controversial figure, speech may cause dispute.

ISLAMABAD: Two members of the Islamabad High Court Bar Association (IHCBA) have objected to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman’s scheduled address to the bar on today (Thursday).

IHCBA members Tanvir Akhtar and Liaqat Kamboh moved the resolution with the association.

When contacted, Kamboh said the PTI Chairman Imran Khan is one of the most controversial figures of today, as he uses foul language and his speeches often lead to disputes.

He stated that IHCBA is a very peaceful bar and Khan’s address could create rifts among members.

“We don’t want to spoil the peaceful environment of our bar association and thus moved a resolution with the association’s executive body,” he added.

He further explained that the decision to invite the PTI chief to address the bar was made unilaterally and not discussed in the executive body.

However, not all lawyers share the same view and a majority of them say the cases against the PTI chief are political. “The government should arrest him if he is an absconder,” said Mohsin Akhtar Kiani, the IHCBA president.

“If the premier and his ministers are not addressing bar associations in the country, it doesn’t mean we should ban leaders of other parties from doing so,” he added.

Riyasat Ali Azad, former general secretary of IHCBA, said cases of terrorism were registered against senior government figures including the prime minister and Punjab chief minister.

“In this sense, they are also absconders but these are political cases. Imran Khan may be a controversial person, but he is also a hero for a lot of people,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 11^th, 2014.