Show-cause: SC reserves verdict in Barrister Ali Zafar case

ISLAMABAD:

The Supreme Court has reserved verdict on the show-cause notice to Barrister Ali Zafar. The full bench headed by CJP Jawwad S Khawaja rejected the application for deferment of the case and directed Zafar to complete his arguments. He had presented his arguments for more than five hours.

The court also rejected the request from Supreme Court Bar Association President Fazal Haq Abbasi and senior lawyer Latif Afridi for a break in the hearing.

The CJP continually gave references of the constitution and the law during the hearing, while Justice Faiz Essa spoke of compromise and Justice Dost Muhammad Khan spoke about interesting things to keep the mood light.

The court said Abbasi’s plea that the matter be sent to the Pakistan Bar Council’s disciplinary committee could be accepted if Zafar offered an unconditional apology.

However, Zafar decided to defend his case despite the fact that his counsel Asma Jahangir was absent and he also did not have the record.

Justice Dost assured Zafar that no judge had made up his mind against him and that he would be provided justice.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 4^th,  2015.