Lawyers must seek public apology over PIC attack: LHC

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) chief justice was requested on Friday to form a division bench to hear a petition seeking the release of arrested lawyers.

Initially, Justice Anwarul Haq Punhun heard the petition and forwarded the matter to LHC Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Shamim Khan to form a division bench.

Later, a two-member bench, headed by Justice Ali Baqar Najfi, took up the petition seeking cancellation of FIRs registered against lawyers and their immediate release. The court directed provincial law officer to furnish record of cases and details of arrested lawyers by Dec 16.

Member Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) Azam Nazir Tarar appeared on behalf of lawyers. Justice Najfi observed that it seemed law of jungle is prevailing in the country, as lawyers attacked the Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC), adding that no society could exist long under law of jungle.

The court asked petitioners’ lawyer as to how lawyers dared storm a hospital? “What would be your reaction if such invasion of bar council’s office takes place? It had not happened even in war times. Black sheep are present among lawyers and they should be kicked out, the judge remarked.

PBC member Tarar said the entire lawyer community felt regret over the PIC incident. Justice Najfi asked him could you render a single justification of attack on a hospital, adding that the lawyers should seek public apology and correct their ranks. He said the court was hearing the case with heavy heart and pain.

Tarar said lawyer leadership condemned the incident soon after it happened. Justice Anwarul Haq Punhun, the other member of the bench, asked whether any bar council had shown willingness to take action against the delinquent lawyers.

To this, Tarar said the bar council was going to take action against them and their practice licences would be suspended. He pointed out that police had tortured lawyers as if they had come to wage a war with an enemy country. They had been handed over to the CIA for further torture, adding that such practice should be shunned. Normally the real culprits are not arrested.

However, Justice Najfi angrily said apparently lawyers were aggressor, adding the arrested lawyers would have to seek bail from the trial court. He said the judges had taken oath to do justice in accordance with the Constitution and law of the land. The court adjourned hearing till Dec 16 and sought details of cases.