‘Misconduct and contempt’: IHC issues show-cause notice to IHCBA secretary

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday issued a show-cause notice to IHC Bar Association (IHCBA) Secretary Muhammad Umair Baloch for "professional misconduct and contempt".

The IHC also suspended Baloch's licence "to practice before [IHC]" until the next hearing, which will be held on December 19. Baloch was reportedly forcing lawyers not to appear before judges as the high court's bar association was observing a strike against alleged offences against the legal fraternity in Lahore a day earlier.

The court noted that Baloch was "forcing the learned advocates to leave the court". "He continued doing so when the court proceedings commenced. He was asked to refrain from disturbing the proceedings and undermining the decorum of the court," the notice read.

"In response, he came to the rostrum and in a tone unbecoming of an enrolled advocate, stated that instead of stopping him, the judges should encourage the strike." The court's notice further said that other IHC judges had also reported that Baloch "interfered with court proceedings". "This act also amounted to depriving the litigants of the right of access to justice."

Baloch, while talking to a reporter, said that IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah told him not to observe a strike in the high court, to which the advocate responded, "When you (the judge) observed strikes and we used to be your followers, it was acceptable. Now it is not."

He insisted the lawyers were holding a "peaceful protest" but were "attacked" by doctors. He claimed the lawyers' reaction was in "self-defence". He also criticised the media for "one-sided" coverage and warned that he will "impose restrictions" on journalists' entry in the IHC.

"As a general secretary, I am warning the media that if they continue with their one-sided coverage, I will bar you from the Islamabad High Court," he said.