Bars criticise JC for ignoring lawyers

LAHORE, April 28: The Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) and Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) on Thursday unanimously criticised the Judicial Commission for ignoring competent and professional lawyers and giving preference to sessions judges for elevation to high court. Speakers at a general house meeting of the LHCBA condemned rejection of names of many professional lawyers by the Commission merely on reports of secret agencies. The house also adopted a resolution unanimously in this regard and demanded the Commission should appoint professional lawyers instead of sessions judges against the vacant posts of LHC judges. Addressing the house, SCBA president Asma Jahangir said the Commission should act in accordance with the law and within its constitutional jurisdiction. She slammed the Commission for not recommending names of competent lawyers relying on secret agencies' reports. She said: "Only bar members prove to be neutral and good judges while the judicial officers help get matters decide in an obedient manner." Ms Jahangir also mentioned the huge backlog of cases related to ordinary people in higher and superior courts. She urged the judiciary to also hear such cases along with important ones. LHCBA president Asghar Ali Gill said the bar had always raised voice against injustices and illegalities at all levels. He questioned the Judicial Commission members as to why they did not object to 'character assassination' of lawyers in secret agencies' reports. He regretted an MPA from Sindh who committed contempt of court was made minister and the JC recommended LHC registrar for the judge's slot, who used to humiliate lawyers. Mr Gill criticised the JC for not recommending any lawyer from Lahore for elevation to the bench and demanded appointment of professional and bold lawyers as judges. Pakistan Bar Council member Azam Nazir Tarar speaking on the occasion regretted that though lawyers rendered sacrifices for restoration of the judiciary, judicial officers were given preference to them. Besides LHCBA's secretary Arshad Malik Awan, Liaqat Ali Qureshi, Muhammad Sharif Chohan, Ahmad Awais, Mian Muhammad Jahangir and Mian Muhammad Azam also addressed the house.