Law firm withdraws from helping Zulqarnain

LONDON: In yet another twist to the drama surrounding Zulqarnain Haider, his solicitors announced on Monday to withdraw as the runaway Pakistan player’s instructed legal representatives.
Barrister Natasha Malik of Halifax-based ADL Solicitors told ‘The News’ in a statement: “We are unable to cite any reasons for our withdrawal bar that we are without instructions from Mr Haider. Without such we are not in position to proceed any further and we have no option but to withdraw.”
Pakistan cricket was rocked when the wicketkeeper fled from the team hotel in Dubai and turned up at Heathrow airport Haider on the day of the fifth and final one-day match on November 8 to claim asylum. He told the immigration officers he feared for his life after he was approached by a cricket betting syndicate member to play foul or else face repercussions. Haider says he refused to help fix a one-day game against South Africa in Dubai.
Ms Malik, who had agreed to provide free legal aid to the asylum-seeking player, refused to answer questions related to any additional reasons why her firm decided to stand down from representing the refugee Pakistani player but the player’s non-serious and erratic behaviour in the major reason behind the decision of the legal firm.
‘The News’ is aware that the cricketer had been asked to meet his lawyers twice to prepare his case in a professional way but Haider failed to turn up for meetings on both occasions, preferring to stay in London.
Haider grew apart from his legal attorney after they asked him hard questions about his claim in order for them to prepare his defence but the player didn’t like the questioning and even wondered why his legal team asked questions of him, instead of believing simply in what he was saying.
The legal team headed by Ms Malik had signed an agreement with Haider that he will abide by the rules of engagement and not open his mouth to media here and there but this professional restriction didn’t go down well with him apparently and he told the world through a facebook message a few days ago that he was thinking of changing his lawyers soon.
He wants to speak to media all the time and loved the limelight that he enjoyed after he escaped to Britain, said a legal source.
The source said on condition of anonymity: “Haider needs flashes and cameras around him. He believes in those bling lawyers who get pictures taken with him for their own cheap publicity. He wants his lawyer to tell fairytale stories and wants quick results which is not possible. There are lawyers who manufacture stories but the professionals will not do such a thing.”
Zulqarnain’s case doesn’t fit the usual criteria of asylum seekers and the conditions which must be ticked for a successful application. Western countries rely on Article 1 of the 1951 Refugee Convention which clearly defines a refugee as “a person who is outside his or her country of nationality or habitual residence; has a well-founded fear of persecution because of his or her race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion; and is unable or unwilling to avail himself or herself of the protection of that country, or to return there, for fear of persecution.”
The former wicketkeeper had also threatened to disclose all the secrets pertaining to spot-fixing but has yet to say anything.
Since arriving in London from Halifax over 10 days ago, Zulqarnain Haider has said his family had received threatening calls and letters from abroad. His family, who previously wanted Haider to return to Pakistan, have recently said that they are facing threats. His wife has told media that she wanted to join her husband in London.