Where is good governance in Punjab, questions LHC CJ

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Wednesday sought personal appearance of Punjab chief minister's principal secretary in connection with a petition by Lahore High Court Bar Association seeking allocation of funds for the lawyers facing financial crisis due to the pandemic lockdown.

As hearing commenced, a provincial law officer submitted reply on behalf of Punjab government. However, Chief Justice Muhammad Qasim Khan expressed dissatisfaction over the reply and summoned principal secretary for Thursday (today).

The Lahore High Court Bar Association’s secretary had filed the petition. LHCBA President Tahir Nasarullah Warriach appeared before the court and pleaded that lawyers had been suffering from acute financial crisis since the lockdown had been imposed which limited the movement and hearing of cases in courts. Chief Justice Khan regretted that federal government had left the lawyers in lurch but the courts would not leave them alone.

By allocating funds, the government would not do any favour to lawyers, he added. "Where is good governance in Punjab? Chief minister had not approved the summary for allocation of funds despite lapse of 15 days. He might reject it if he wanted to do so,” CJ said.

Federal law officer said the lawyers could seek monetary help from Prime Minister's Ehsas programme. The CJ said a respected middle class person felt embarrassment to stand in long lines for help and government had not taken stock of them. "Likewise, lawyers are helpless they neither could do a job nor a business,” CJ said, adding that government functionaries are only interested in making pictures with the needy. He said it was not the right way for a state to help its citizens in the hour of need.

Federal government sought time to file reply. The court adjourned hearing till Thursday (today) and summoned the CM's principal secretary. The petitioner said the government decided to support all people of all segments affected by the lockdown and earmarked funds for them.

However, he said, the government had not established any such fund for the lawyers who had no other option except practicing the law before courts. He asked the court to order the government to provide financial support to the lawyers and establish a fund to this effect.