LAWYERS are guardians of the law of the land. Unfortunately, after supporting the movement for the restoration of former chief justice of the Supreme Court Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, a section of young lawyers arrogated to themselves special status and adopted bellicose behaviour.

In fact, as quid pro quo to his restoration, Iftikhar Chaudhry, throughout his tenure as the apex court’s chief justice , gave a blank cheque to lawyers to do what they pleased. Thus, a section of lawyers in the country took law into their hands on several occasions.

The latest case of misbehaviour against judges was reported by your paper (April 28) wherein a lawyer first misbehaved with a presiding woman judge and when ‘very lightly’ punished for contempt of the court, the entire lawyers’ community stood up in protest against the verdict.

The protest went as far as removing the name-plates of the sitting chief justice of the Peshawar High Court and a session judge. The lawyers also raised slogans of ‘Go Chief Justice, go’, and ‘Go Shahid (session judge) go’.

The chief justice rightly remarked: “f I cannot defend the dignity of my judges, then I have no right to sit on the chair of the chief justice.”

Enough is enough. The country cannot afford such lawlessness by a community that is bound to enforce law. It appears no action against erring lawyers can be taken in the present soft manner. The Peshwar incident warrants stern action against law violators.

Sayed Shah Bokhari

Peshawar

Published in Dawn, May 1st, 2016