Suspension of licence: Barrister Ali Zafar to challenge SC ruling

ISLAMABAD:

As lawyers’ groups campaign for top posts of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), Barrister Ali Zafar – the presidential candidate of Asma Jahangir’s Independent Lawyers Group – has decided to challenge the top court ruling that suspended his practicing licence for a year.

“I will file a review petition against the September 8 verdict of the Supreme Court on Monday,” Zafar told The Express Tribune on Friday. He voiced confidence that the order would be set
aside because it contained several flaws.

While Zafar claimed the top court verdict had given his election campaign momentum, sources said the Independent Lawyers’ Group is very concerned over the suspension of his licence on the basis of ‘professional misconduct’. The suspension means Zafar will be ineligible to run for the election this year, putting the campaign of the group, which has consistently nabbed the SCBA top slot for the last four years, in jeopardy.

However, active members of Independent Lawyers’ Group believe the verdict has boosted Zafar’s popularity and will help his run for president if he can take part in the election.

Ramzan Muhammad Chaudhry told The Express Tribune that the Supreme Court verdict against Zafar has been rejected by all superior bars. He claimed that despite the suspension of his license, Zafar may still contest the election.

However, another senior member of same Independent Lawyers Group believes that their presidential candidate cannot contest election until his license will not be restored.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 12^th, 2015.