Proceedings against Multan Bar chief: SC adjourns hearing till third week of October

Supreme Court of Pakistan here on Wednesday sought a detailed report from the registrar of the Lahore High Court (LHC) on the events of lawyers' hooliganism took place at Multan and Lahore benches. The bench adjourned further hearing till third week of October and asked the larger bench of LHC seized with contempt proceedings against a President Multan bar Sher Zaman Qureshi to wait for final decision of the apex court.
Earlier Sher Zaman Qureshi filed a written apology before a five member full bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice. The courtroom was jam-packed with lawyers when Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar took up an appeal filed by President Multan bar Sher Zaman Qureshi against his non-bailable arrest warrants issued by the LHC in the contempt matter.
Supreme Court Bar Association President Rasheed A. Rizvi and other senior lawyers appeared on behalf of Qureshi. Rizvi said the lawyers had a great respect for judiciary however, Sher Zaman Qureshi did not want to appear before a larger bench of the LHC due to unavoidable circumstances. Chief Justice addressing the contemnor observed that whether not appearing before the Lahore High Court was not contempt of court. He said law is equal for all and questioned him that if prime ministers could appear before the courts then why not the lawyers.
Justice Asif Saeed Khosa also observed, "Respect of a constitutional court is that one should appear before it". "If Sher Zaman does not appear before the Constitutional court the judicial system would get destroyed," Justice Khosa observed. Chief Justice also observed whether the dignity of the institution of judiciary was not compromised by defying the court orders. CJ said the dispute could have been settled at initial stage if Qureshi would appear before the court and present his point of view.
Advocate Rizvi argued that Multan bar president was not involved in the alleged misbehavior with a judge and vandalism. Justice Asif Saeed Khosa observed if lawyers wanted to protect the justice system they should respect orders of the courts.