LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Friday directed police to complete by July 12 its investigation into disappearance of the second wife and minor son of Pakistan Bar Council member Maqsood Buttar.

Justice Abdul Sami Khan passed the order on a habeas corpus petition filed by Bilqees Zareena seeking recovery of her daughter and grandson from the alleged custody of Buttar. The judge held in-camera proceedings of the case as a large number of lawyers had gathered in the court to support both sides.

Leaders of the Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) were also present in the court to avert any clash between the two sides. In the previous hearing, Buttar’s supporters had manhandled the legal team of the petitioner.

The Civil Lines superintendent of police (investigation) appeared before the court in chamber along with a report showing progress in the investigation. The officer told the judge that summons had been issued to both sides for interrogation. He said more time was required to complete the investigation.

Justice Khan allowed the request and directed the police officer to submit a report on July 12 after completing the investigation. The judge also directed the officer to hold investigation without fear and favour. He further directed police to ensure recovery of the woman and her son.

Zareena contended in the petition that her daughter Ayesha, 26, and minor grandson Alyan Ali were missing for six months. She alleged that her daughter used to work in Buttar’s law chamber and later they got married. She accused Buttar of kidnapping her daughter and grandson.

CONDEMNATION: Former president of Supreme Court Bar Association, Barrister Syed Ali Zafar, condemned the violence against lawyers in court.

In a statement issued on Friday, Zafar said such instances tarnished the image of lawyers worldwide. He said all the people who abused and attacked the lawyers representing Zareena in a missing woman case although wearing black uniforms were not appearing in the case as advocates. He said their actions were in their individual capacity and that they were accordingly liable to be tried and punished under the law for the criminal offences they had committed in the face of the court.

Barrister Zafar called upon the LHCBA and the high court registrar to jointly file a first information report against all culprits involved. He also called upon the Pakistan Bar Council to suspend the licences of all those involved in the incident.

Published in Dawn, June 24th, 2017