KARACHI: Bar tells parties to greet Iftikhar from a distance
By Ali Hazrat Bacha
KARACHI, May 11: Leaders of the Sindh High Court Bar Association and the Karachi Bar Association have asked political parties to remain at a distance from the lawyers’ procession and avoid entering the SHC compound on Saturday so that lawyers can celebrate the golden jubilee of the Supreme Court of Pakistan in a befitting manner in the presence of Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry.
Speaking at a hurriedly called press conference at the SHC Bar Room on Friday evening, Sindh High Court Bar Association President Abrar Hasan said that political parties were not invited to take out processions on the occasion.
“If they wish to accord welcome to the chief justice they must play a positive role,” he said adding that it was basically a lawyers’ programme and they did not like others to create problems.
Flanked by SHCBA General-Secretary Munir-ur-Rehman, Karachi Bar Association President Iftikhar Javaid Qazi, and General Secretary Naeem Qureshi, Mr Hassan expressed concern over the arrest of 24 lawyers in Shikarpur and Malir. He said a complaint was already lodged with the Sindh government.
Referring to a verdict of a two-member bench of the high court, which has asked Sindh government to ensure provision of proper security and protection to the chief justice, he said: “The Sindh government has assured us of extending full cooperation and asked to have a close contact in case of any complaint or problem to any lawyer on the occasion.”
He hailed the high court’s decision and said it came at a very right time otherwise the government would have lifted the chief justice in helicopter to somewhere else on security grounds. He said lawyers were the host of the chief justice and they had the right to entertain their guests how and where they wished. He expressed hope that the government would not take a stupid step on the occasion.
About a change in the route of the lawyers’ rally, he said, “Such a decision will be taken on the arrival of the chief justice if we feel it necessary”.
He said the whole programme including details about the route was already announced and there was no change in the schedule.
He said lawyers did not want any confrontation with anyone and if lawyers were teased they would stage protest which, he said, would always be remembered.
He expressed hope that the event would be held in a peaceful atmosphere and there would be no problem to anyone. He asked lawyers to reach the SHC building at 9am.
KARACHI, May 11: Leaders of the Sindh High Court Bar Association and the Karachi Bar Association have asked political parties to remain at a distance from the lawyers’ procession and avoid entering the SHC compound on Saturday so that lawyers can celebrate the golden jubilee of the Supreme Court of Pakistan in a befitting manner in the presence of Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry.
