OKARA: The District Bar Association (DBA) announces that its members will boycott cases being heard by the deputy commissioner in her capacity as district collector because of “hasty” disposal of cases.

A deputy commissioner in each district hears cases every week to solve revenue and other administrative issues.

Protesting against the style of hearing cases by Okara Deputy Commissioner Saima Ahad, the lawyers said they would boycott the proceedings she conducted till acceptance of their demand for sympathetic hearing.

As Tuesday’s proceedings started in court, senior lawyers including Rana Muhammad Asad, Kashif Shakoor Saleemi, Malik Maqbool Shakir, Rai Iqrar Kharal, Malik Noor Awan and Chaudhry Riazul Haq raised objection to what they said hasty disposal of cases by DC Saima Ahad.

They took the plea that she had a harsh attitude and gave little time to the advocates to present the cases and satisfy the parties.

When the DC said she could not delay the proceedings of any case on account of absence of any lawyer, the Bar members took it amiss and started raising slogans in her courtroom. The protesters led by Chaudhry Riazul Haq said they would boycott her court.

The lawyers also met Punjab Bar Council member Syed Ali Riaz Kirmani, DBA President Syed Zahid Bokhari and Secretary Rai Iqrar Kharal and announced boycott. They called on Additional Commissioner Revenue, the appellate authority against the decisions of the PO/DC, and briefed him on their grievance.

The additional commissioner reported the matter to Commissioner Babar Hayat Tarrar who is likely to mediate between the parties.

Published in Dawn, May 24th, 2017