Lawyers’ convention assails proceedings against HCBA Multan president

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA), Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and Lahore District Bar on Saturday condemned initiation of the court proceedings against HCBA-Multan President Sher Zaman Qureshi and installation of containers on the LHC premises to block the entry points to chief justice’s courtroom.

Holding All Pakistan Lawyers Representative Convention, the lawyer leaders issued a 13-point declaration. They resolved that the convention believes in mutual respect and esteem of bar and bench both and condemns any attempt on the part of a judge or judges to humiliate or insult any member or representative of the bar.

The LHCBA had called the All Pakistan Lawyer Convention over the ongoing standoff between the bar and bench after Multan incident in which a group of lawyers including HCBA Multan President misbehaved with Justice Muhammad Qasim Khan, ripped off his nameplate and obstructed justice related to case of a disputed piece of land near Vehari Chowk. A large number of lawyers including office-bearers of the Lahore Bar Association took part in the convention to show solidarity with their colleague and to discuss their plan regarding ongoing conflict between the bar and the bench.

The media persons, however, boycotted lawyer convention to record their protest against misbehaviour of some lawyers with reporters and cameramen on Aug 22.

Through their declaration, the lawyers said closing down and suspension of the permanent bench of the Lahore High Court at Multan from July 24 to July 31 was an unconstitutional act on the part of the learned chief justice for which he was constitutionally and legally liable.

“This convention is of the firm view that reallocation and reassignment of the areas and regions belonging to the territorial  jurisdiction of the Multan bench of the Lahore High Court by the learned Chief Justice is illegal, mala fide and without jurisdiction and should immediately be undone,” the lawyers said.

The declaration also supported decision of the Supreme Court Bar Association that Sher Zaman Qureshi should be produced before the Supreme Court to avoid further complications in this regard.

The declaration also made it clear that lawyers always sacrificed for the supremacy of law and supported judgments rendered by the courts.

Earlier, the bar leaders addressed the participants on the role of legal fraternity for supremacy of law and justice. They also condemned violence against lawyers on Aug 21.