November 30, 2007	Friday	Ziqa’ad 19, 1428

LAHORE, Nov 29: In a first case of its kind, Justice M Bilal Khan of the Lahore High Court has suspended the licence of Jaranwala Bar Association President BK Tabish for violating the “decorum” of the court.

The judge suspended the licence on the basis of the amendments to the Legal Practitioner and Bar Councils (Amendment) Ordinance 2007, which empower courts to suspend lawyers’ licences.

Representing complainants in a bail case, Tabish told Justice Bilal that the accused fled from the court after figuring out that the additional district and sessions judge would cancel their bails.

“How can they know that the judge is about to dismiss their bail?” Justice Bilal asked. “Can you tell what decision I am going to take in this bail application?”

“You are to grant them bail because you have taken oath under the PCO,” the lawyer replied.

The lawyer said had the judges not taken oath under the PCO, they would have ordered release of Ali Ahmad Kurd, Aitzaz Ahsan and Justice Tariq Mahmood (retired).

Justice Bilal observed that he (Tabish) being a senior lawyer should set an example for juniors by not bringing the court into disrespect.

Tabish said he was setting an example for young lawyers by not tolerating illegalities. Justice Bilal ordered suspension of his licence after these remarks.

After the proceedings, Tabish met LHCBA president Ahsan Bhoon and told him about the whole episode.