QUETTA, Aug 3 No cases were taken up in the Balochistan High Court on Monday although two division benches had been set up and a cause-list for the day had been issued.

Chief Justice Amanullah Khan Yasinzai, Justice Ahmed Khan Lashari, Justice Akhtar Zaman Malghani and Justice Mehta Kalash Nath Kohli stayed in their chambers and did not come to the courtroom. The fifth judge, Justice Nadir Khan Durani, is abroad and is expected to return in a couple of days.

The cases of the five judges have been sent to the Supreme Judicial Council in accordance with the Friday judgment of the Supreme Court.

President Asif Ali Zardari signed on Sunday night orders stopping the PCO judges from functioning.

In the bar rooms of the district and sessions court and high court, the main topic of discussion among lawyers was the fate of the judges. According to them, the judges have two options, to resign to avoid SJC proceedings or face the reference and continue to function till a decision of the council.