President Supreme Court Bar Association Asma Jahangir has alleged that judges of superior judiciary are intervening in the election of bar associations. She said, "I have received lot of complaints from all corners of the country about judiciary's interference in Bar's election, particularly in the upcoming election of Pakistan Bar Council.
'This is not a good omen and this practice should be stopped" she added. She expressed these views while addressing a press conference here Saturday at Lahore office of SCBA. Secretary Qamaruz Zaman Qureshi and other officer bearers were also present on the occasion. She said she could not create confrontation with judiciary on election issue but make only efforts to improve things.
She made it clear that independence of bar would not be compromised and she want to establish relations with SC as an independent bar. "Our doors are opened for everyone but meaningless meetings with executive would compromise independence of the Bar. Likewise meaningless meetings with judiciary would damage independence of judiciary", she added.
She said no one is satisfied over government's performance, as it had neither a policy nor a direction. She pointed out that independence of judiciary is a vast term and this goal can not be achieved unless all judges act independently. She explained that besides establishing cordial relationship with the bench, the bar should also keep a vigilant eye on the performance of SC. She also expressed some reservations about National Judicial Policy, saying murder of justice should not be done in the name of disposal.
Asma was not happy with courts' performance but she cannot correct it overnight or take an aggressive line against judiciary she added. Replying to a question Asma said conduction audit of SCBA's accounts is routine work and she or any other office bearers had never accused of any previous presidents about corruption.