LAHORE: A Lahore High Court division bench on Monday recused, on the request of the bar, from multiple petitions challenging FIRs and arrest of lawyers in the wake of the attack on the Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC) and referred them to the chief justice for fixation before any other bench.

The bench comprising Justice Ali Baqar Najafi and Justice Anwarul Haq Pannun resumed hearing in a courtroom packed to its capacity with lawyers and their leaders.

Lahore High Court Bar Association President Chaudhry Hafeezur Rehman requested the bench to transfer the case to some other bench.

Justice Najafi allowed the request and sent the files to Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Shamim for their fixation before any other appropriate bench.

Before the Monday’s hearing, Mr Rehman had also met the judges in chamber.

One of the judges was LHCBA president before elevation

Sources said the bar sought transfer of the case to save the judges from any controversy since Justice Pannun was holding office of the LHCBA’s president when he was elevated as judge of the LHC in 2018.

They said the bar had a view that it would not be appropriate in interest of justice if a former president of the bar heard a case directly relating to the lawyers.

On the previous hearing, Justice Najafi had condemned the attack on PIC by a group of lawyers and observed that the incident brought a bad name to the judiciary.

“We are hearing these petitions with great pain. We can transfer it forthwith if you say,” Justice Najafi had told the lawyers’ leaders.

He went on to say that it seemed law of jungle was prevailing in the country as lawyers attacked the PIC. He further said that no society could sustain under law of jungle.

Published in Dawn, December 17th, 2019