Differences in PBC over inquiry resolution

Published January 3, 2008

ISLAMABAD, Jan 2: Four of the 22 members of the Pakistan Bar Council have opposed a resolution adopted by the council on Tuesday demanding a judicial inquiry led by Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry into the Dec 27 Liaquat Bagh tragedy, and moved a resolution calling for UN probe.

Senator Farooq H. Naek told Dawn on Wednesday that the PBC had not adopted any resolution seeking a judicial inquiry by the deposed chief justice into the assassination of PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto.

But Mr Naek’s claim was rejected by PBC vice-chairman Mirza Aziz Akbar Baig who said that the resolution had been adopted by a majority of 17 members.

He said the resolution moved by the four members — Senators Farooq Naek, Sardar Latif Khosa, Advocates Shafqat Abbasi and Ahsan Bhon -- had been circulated among the council members for consideration.

Senator Naek said the four members had suggested to the Pakistan People’s Party to constitute an investigation commission comprising foreign experts under the auspices of the United Nations.

“The commission should conduct the inquiry in the same manner as was done in the case of the assassination of Lebanese prime minister Rafik Al Hariri in February.”

He said that after the completion of the investigation, an international tribunal should be formed to try the culprits who killed Ms Bhutto.

Mirza Aziz pointed out that the resolution adopted by the majority was based on the consistent stand of the lawyers’ community while the minority group was toeing the line of party to which they belonged.