April 27, 2007	Friday	Rabi-us-Sani 09, 1428

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LAHORE, April 26: Are there any attempts to sabotage the reception planned for the ‘suspended’ Chief Justice of Pakistan in Lahore is a question circulating in the legal fraternity these days.

Although no date has formally been announced for the reception, there are reports that some senior pro-government lawyers have been attempting to create rifts among lawyers over the issue.

There are reports that some office-bearers of the Lahore High Court Bar Association have a soft corner for Lahore High Court Chief Justice Iftikhar Husain Chaudhry, whose presence in the Supreme Judicial Council has been questioned by the panel representing the Chief Justice of Pakistan.

Pakistan Bar Council member Hamid Khan alleged that Justice (retd) Malik Qayyum was out to entice lawyers away from the reception.

“I have confirmed reports that Mr Qayyum is offering lucrative jobs to heavyweight lawyers who can play a leading role in the reception. He is even offering cash to lawyers,” Advocate Hamid Khan alleged.

He also confirmed that there could be a divide in the ranks of Lahore High Court bar.

However, he said he was optimistic “Everything will be ok. All such attempts will be foiled,” he said.

Denying the allegation, Justice Qayyum told Dawn that he was of the view that Justice Chaudhry was still the Chief Justice of Pakistan.

“Ask those levelling the charges against me that if they do not have any objection, I will be the first person to stand in the row for the reception of the suspended Chief Justice of Pakistan. I will be glad to be part of those receiving Justice Chaudhry.”

He claimed he did not need to do any dirty things in the judiciary.

High Court Bar Association secretary Sarfraz Cheema said that there could be affiliations of some of his colleagues to the LHC chief justice, but that had nothing to do with the reception for Justice Chaudhry.

“Let me admit that people have got personal relations. But let me make it clear that the professional cause is above personal relations.”

He said he was on way to Islamabad where all office-bearers of the high court bar association would see the suspended Chief Justice on Friday.

He said the reception would be held on the date and at the venue decided by the suspended Chief Justice of Pakistan.