'Bench-Bar tiff to damage judicial system'

Member Pakistan Bar Council and former president Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) Hamid Khan viewed that confrontation between Bench and Bar would badly damage judicial system in the country. He said this while addressing a luncheon organised by Professional Panel here on Saturday. He urged the lawyers' fraternity to strengthen hands of a free and independent judiciary, which could ensure implementation of its verdicts on issues.
He recalled that two-year lawyers' movement was run for reinstatement of an independent judiciary and not for a single specific person, adding which got goals of success as lawyers fraternity remained adherent to their struggle. He alleged that during last 60 years, establishment ruled over judiciary and bureaucracy. He recalled that lawyers' movement launched in 2007 was an anti-establishment movement, which defeated a dictator and his allied.
He observed that establishment always neglected Balochistan and never allowed to launch development in the province. He opined that after reinstatement of deposed judges, Supreme Court of Pakistan had a check on establishment. He was of the opinion that new high courts were undergoing an evolutionary process.
He said that it was right that some of the PCO judges were competent in their work; adding but they took wrong step by taking oath under PCO instead the Constitution of Pakistan. He said Supreme Court's historical decision of 31st July caused a great defeat to dictators and his supporters.
Candidate for office of president Supreme Court Bar Association and former president Lahore High Court Bar Association Ahmed Owais urged the legal fraternity to ensure maintenance of independence of judiciary which emerged after long struggle run by lawyers' fraternity.
He observed that judiciary before 2007 was a manageable and controlled judiciary while incumbent judiciary was giving all judgement as per the Constitution and law. He noted that Pakistan could not get goals of progress and prosperity until rule of law was implemented in the country in letter and spirit. Vice President SCBA Amanullah and President Balochistan Bar Association Baz Muhammad Kakar and president Karachi Bar Association Mehmood-ul-Hasan also spoke while a large number of lawyers were present.