15 January 2004	Thursday	22 Ziqa'ad 1424

ISLAMABAD, Jan 14: The Supreme Court has decided to revive the tradition of holding full court references for the retiring judges where the lawyers are given opportunity to speak out their mind.

The tradition was abandoned by the judiciary when it validated the military takeover by invoking the doctrine of necessity. Justice Tanvir Ahmad Khan, who is retiring from the Su-preme Court on Friday, would be the first judge who would be given the honour of Full Court Reference after four years.

Fearing that the angry bar leaders would criticise the judiciary for its approval of military regime's all actions, the practice was abandoned.

Now when the controversial judges have been shown the door, after an agreement with the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal, the relations of the Bench and Bar are reviving.

The officials of the Supreme Court confirmed Full Court Reference would be given to Justice Tanvir Ahmad Khan on Jan 16, but said the number of speakers would be very limited.

Only three lawyers, Attorney-General of Pakistan, Pakistan Bar Council Vice-Chairman Qazi Mohammad Anwar, and Supreme Court Bar Association President Tariq Mehmood, would be allowed to speak on the occasion.

From the judiciary, Chief Justice Nazim Hussain Siddiqui would be the only speaker. Earlier, a large number of lawyers' representatives, starting from Pakistan Bar Council to the president of district bar association, Islamabad, were invited to eulogise the services of the retiring judge.

The advocates-general from the provinces were also invited to speak on the occasion. With the retirement of Justice Tanvir Ahmad Khan the strength of the Supreme Court would come down to 13, including the Chief Justice. Two more judges, Justice Mian Mohammad Ajmal (Aug 15) and Justice Deedar Hussain Shah (Dec 11) would retire in the current year.