Ali Zafar’s lawyer admits associate wrote letter to CJ

ISLAMABAD: Asma Jahangir, lawyer of Ali Zafar Advocate in a contempt case, admitted in the Supreme Court on Tuesday that a letter was written on her client’s behalf to the Chief Justice of Pakistan.
During the hearing of the case, Asma Jahangir said Ali Zafar Advocate was at general adjournment and his associate Raja Khalid Zafar wrote a letter to the Chief Justice of Pakistan. She explained that Ali Zafar didn’t direct for the letter, adding that Khalid Zafar has accepted the mistake in this matter.
Asma said both the bench and bar will have to maintain relationship of respect. She said coverage of news regarding court proceedings started with the consent of judges. She argued that it is time to resolve issues between bench and bar, adding that as lawyers they are bound to follow the laws. She asked the court to explain limits of freedom of expression of lawyers.
Asma stated that her own case was dismissed on basis of adjournment, saying she will give remarks as per directions of the court. The Supreme Court asked senior legal expert Latif Afridi to review the entire matter till Friday and decide who is right and at what level in Advocate Ali Zafar’s contempt of court case.
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Justice Jawwad S Khawaja while giving remarks in the hearing said reputation of the organisation is more important than designations. He further said over 7,500 complaints filed against lawyers as disciplinary tribunals are out of order.
Justice Jawwad further said situation will be complicated if question arises on respect of bench and bar. “It is said judges should stay inside and make compromises on corruption of public money. Stopping corruption is our duty for what we are paid and provided privileges,” he added. The chief justice in his remarks further said they cannot overlook their duties.
Asma stated that she will not be available on Friday, adding that lawyers are not subordinate of anyone.On this, the chief justice remarked that they respect the lawyer community, asking the bar councils to review their matters as several complaints are under trail against them.
Justice Dost Muhammad Khosa, giving remarks in the case, said the country will have to witness French revolution if the government organisations continued looting public money. “Every inch of this country is owned by the people and the government is justice guard of it. Rulers bulldoze homes in katchi abadi in the name of rule of law while the green-belts and footpaths have been occupied with the help of Capital Development Authority (CDA) by land mafias,” he said.
Justice Dost Muhammad Khosa said the country is facing floods every year due to deforestation from Chitral to Gilgit and other areas. He said land mafia is working in Punjab while forest mafia is working in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Justice Qazi Faiz Essa said media has freedom of expression but within limits. He remarked that media should not publish request of adjournment that create an impression of disrespect to the court.
The chief justice also clarified during the hearing that he had no relationship with former chief justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry. “I have no relationship with him and didn’t have any meeting with him. I hared the news of his forcible removal from his post and in the respect of institution gave resignation as a high court judge,” he explained.