November 12, 2006	Sunday	Shawwal 19, 1427

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ISLAMABAD, Nov 11: The newly elected executive committee of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), in its first meeting on Saturday, accused the state agencies of splitting lawyer fraternity to dent their consistent position on constitutional amendments and holding of two offices by President Pervez Musharraf.

Raja Haq Nawaz, declared president-elect of the SCBA, presided over the Saturday meeting with 13 out of the total 22 newly elected members in attendance. Vice-Presidents Khawaja Naveed Ahmed (Sindh) and Saeed Akhtar (NWFP) and member from Baluchistan Jehanzeb Jadoon could not attend the meeting due to pressing family affairs.

“Quorum requirement is seven members,” Raja Haq Nawaz explained to allay impression that the other side was still contesting their position.

In his first policy statement after the meeting, Raja Nawaz made it clear that the new body, like preceding bodies, was opposed to military rule and considered General Pervez Musharraf an unelected president.

Controversy over vote count had spoiled the SCBA elections with both contenders claiming to be successful president, inviting PBC’s intervention and decision on an election appeal which the high court subsequently stayed.

Additional Secretary SCBA Sardar Muhammad Ghazi read out a resolution adopted during the meeting which expressed determination to work as a team for restoration of 1973 Constitution in its pre-October 12, 1999 form and revival of dignity of the bar and welfare of lawyer fraternity.

At the same time, the resolution says, the association will not allow the judiciary to be humiliated and left at the mercy of the executive. It also sends a word of caution to politicians to refrain from exploiting the bar for their political interests.

The association will itself decide how to launch a movement for restoration of the 1973 constitution, independence of the judiciary and protecting interests of the bar instead of accepting dictates form politicians, it adds.

The SCBA president said that to him General Pervez Musharraf as president was not acceptable but bailed out his predecessor and supporter Malik Qayyum for meeting President Musharraf, saying whatever he did was in the interest of the bar.

He regretted the October 30 airstrike on a madressah in Bajaur and killing of 42 army recruits in Deragai, supporting common belief that Pakistan Army was not in any way involved in the Bajaur incident.

“The Bajaur incident should be condemned strongly as it involves Pakistan's sovereignty which is being eroded though Pakistan is an important US ally in the war on terrorism,” he added.

He spelt out association's intention of not filing any petition against the two incidents in the Supreme Court “for cheap publicity” but suggested that the apex court should take suo motu notice of the incidents.

He was of the view that the bar should also be involved in the elevation process of judges in the superior judiciary.