Imran Khan
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its became another mafia now . lawyers will again start ghunda gardi on roads and country sucks . koi bhi is mulk se mukhlis nhi hai lagta hai .
Inquiry against Supreme court and High Court judges
- Thread starter ghazi52
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There is a saying aik bar Banda wakeel ban Jaye to phir insan nhi ban sakta
ghazi52
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LAHORE: The Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) will take up in its next week’s general house meeting a resolution seeking withdrawal of a reference filed against Justice Qazi Faez Isa of the Supreme Court.
Rana Asadullah Khan, a former secretary of the LHCBA, moved the resolution with signatures of over 200 members of the bar, claiming that a planned campaign had been initiated against the apex court judge.
He said that before the reference was filed by the federal government, a petition was also moved challenging the appointment of Justice Isa as judge of the court, which was dismissed.
Mr Khan stated that the president had filed the reference under Article 209 of the Constitution against an upright judge, but he remained oblivious to the “undignified” conduct of National Accountability Bureau Chairman retired Justice Javed Iqbal.
The resolution demanded withdrawal of the reference against Justice Isa, saying it had been initiated by bypassing procedure and by directly jumping to the conclusion in violation of the spirit of the law. The resolution vowed to launch a movement for the preservation of independence of the judiciary if the demands were not met by the government.
The LHCBA will take up the resolution in its general house meeting on June 12.
Rana Asadullah Khan, a former secretary of the LHCBA, moved the resolution with signatures of over 200 members of the bar, claiming that a planned campaign had been initiated against the apex court judge.
He said that before the reference was filed by the federal government, a petition was also moved challenging the appointment of Justice Isa as judge of the court, which was dismissed.
Mr Khan stated that the president had filed the reference under Article 209 of the Constitution against an upright judge, but he remained oblivious to the “undignified” conduct of National Accountability Bureau Chairman retired Justice Javed Iqbal.
The resolution demanded withdrawal of the reference against Justice Isa, saying it had been initiated by bypassing procedure and by directly jumping to the conclusion in violation of the spirit of the law. The resolution vowed to launch a movement for the preservation of independence of the judiciary if the demands were not met by the government.
The LHCBA will take up the resolution in its general house meeting on June 12.
ghazi52
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Lawyers announce strike on June 14 over references against judges
The legal fraternity demands withdrawal of government reference against Supreme Court judge Qazi Faez Isa. — Geo News FILE
ISLAMABAD: After the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), provincial bar councils have announced a strike on June 14 over references filed by the government against Supreme Court judge Qazi Faez Isa and two high court judges.
A meeting of Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) and all provincial bar councils was held at the Supreme Court to ponder over the references against judges. The participants exchanged views on a future strategy in this regard and made some key decisions.
All bar councils have announced a strike on June 14 on account hearing of a reference against Justice Isa.
Speaking to media after the meeting, PBC vice chairman Amjad Shah demanded withdrawal of reference against Justice Isa.
He said the meeting held today condemned Law Minister Farogh Naseem and Attorney General Anwar Mansoor Khan, and demanded them to step down from their respective posts.
Shah said the minister and attorney general had both been part of the reference against Justice Isa. He maintained that the reference negates freedom of judiciary.
The PBC vice chairman said their protest and campaign were not concerned with any institution or political party, adding, "We will record our protest remaining within the ambit of law".
He noted that no verdict was announced in all pending references, expressing astonishment as to why the government was bent upon such a weak reference.
"We have struggled for the freedom of judiciary and rule of law in the past, and we will do so now as well," Shah asserted.
Hafiz Idrees said the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) served no notices to honourable judges, terming the reference a violation of Article 10A as well.
It is pertinent to mention here that SCBA had already announced holding a protest sit-in over reference filed against Justice Isa.
The legal fraternity demands withdrawal of government reference against Supreme Court judge Qazi Faez Isa. — Geo News FILE
ISLAMABAD: After the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), provincial bar councils have announced a strike on June 14 over references filed by the government against Supreme Court judge Qazi Faez Isa and two high court judges.
A meeting of Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) and all provincial bar councils was held at the Supreme Court to ponder over the references against judges. The participants exchanged views on a future strategy in this regard and made some key decisions.
All bar councils have announced a strike on June 14 on account hearing of a reference against Justice Isa.
Speaking to media after the meeting, PBC vice chairman Amjad Shah demanded withdrawal of reference against Justice Isa.
He said the meeting held today condemned Law Minister Farogh Naseem and Attorney General Anwar Mansoor Khan, and demanded them to step down from their respective posts.
Shah said the minister and attorney general had both been part of the reference against Justice Isa. He maintained that the reference negates freedom of judiciary.
The PBC vice chairman said their protest and campaign were not concerned with any institution or political party, adding, "We will record our protest remaining within the ambit of law".
He noted that no verdict was announced in all pending references, expressing astonishment as to why the government was bent upon such a weak reference.
"We have struggled for the freedom of judiciary and rule of law in the past, and we will do so now as well," Shah asserted.
Hafiz Idrees said the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) served no notices to honourable judges, terming the reference a violation of Article 10A as well.
It is pertinent to mention here that SCBA had already announced holding a protest sit-in over reference filed against Justice Isa.
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Chief Justice of Pakistan Asif Saeed Khosa gives important statement over removal of Justice Qazi Faez Isa.
LONDON: Chief Justice of Pakistan Asif Saeed Khan Khosa answering a question today, Sunday on the Justice Faez Isa inquiry said that the matter was solely the prerogative of the Supreme Judicial Council of the country.
Elaborating on the answer the Chief Justice said that the government does not hold the authority to remove Justice Qazi Faez Isa.
The Ministry of Law elucidated on June 3 that the Assets Recovery Unit of Prime Minister’s Office had received a complaint in respect to foreign properties of three judges, including Justice Qazi Faez Isa and and two high court judges, and the matter was placed before ministry for appropriate action.
In a joint statement, the spokesmen of Law Ministry and Assets Recovery Unit of Prime Minister’s Office said the federal law minister has directed the Assets Recovery Unit (ARU) to verify the contents of the complaint, clearly suggesting that action would only be taken once authentic verification is received.
The Supreme Judicial Council has issued a notice to the attorney general for hearing of presidential references against Justice Qazi Faez Isa and and two high court judges on June 14.
Faez Isa who is facing a reference before the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) repeated his request to the president for a copy of the reference.
The judge in an earlier letter written to the president, had complained that selective leaks to the media was deeply distressing for him and his family.
The letter also complained that the judge and his family had been maliciously maligned by half-truths.
Khosa asked the people of Pakistan to show faith in it’s judiciary and assured them a fair trial and rule of law in the proceedings.
LONDON: Chief Justice of Pakistan Asif Saeed Khan Khosa answering a question today, Sunday on the Justice Faez Isa inquiry said that the matter was solely the prerogative of the Supreme Judicial Council of the country.
Elaborating on the answer the Chief Justice said that the government does not hold the authority to remove Justice Qazi Faez Isa.
The Ministry of Law elucidated on June 3 that the Assets Recovery Unit of Prime Minister’s Office had received a complaint in respect to foreign properties of three judges, including Justice Qazi Faez Isa and and two high court judges, and the matter was placed before ministry for appropriate action.
In a joint statement, the spokesmen of Law Ministry and Assets Recovery Unit of Prime Minister’s Office said the federal law minister has directed the Assets Recovery Unit (ARU) to verify the contents of the complaint, clearly suggesting that action would only be taken once authentic verification is received.
The Supreme Judicial Council has issued a notice to the attorney general for hearing of presidential references against Justice Qazi Faez Isa and and two high court judges on June 14.
Faez Isa who is facing a reference before the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) repeated his request to the president for a copy of the reference.
The judge in an earlier letter written to the president, had complained that selective leaks to the media was deeply distressing for him and his family.
The letter also complained that the judge and his family had been maliciously maligned by half-truths.
Khosa asked the people of Pakistan to show faith in it’s judiciary and assured them a fair trial and rule of law in the proceedings.
ghazi52
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SCBA chief terms reference against Justice Isa conspiracy against Balochistan
June 13, 2019
QUETTA: Supreme Court Bar Association president Amanullah Kanrani speaks during a press conference at Quetta press club on Wednesday. — PPI
QUETTA: The reference filed against Justice Qazi Faez Isa in the Supreme Judicial Council is aimed at pre-empting Balochistan from getting the post of Chief Justice of Pakistan, Amanullah Kanrani, the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) president, said on Wednesday.
Speaking at a press conference, he said the lawyers’ community would hold a sit-in in front of the Supreme Court on Friday (June 14) and burn a copy of the reference.
Mr Kanrani wondered why the SJC had taken up the reference against Justice Isa and ignored complaints filed against other judges.
He said lawyers would boycott court proceedings on Friday as a mark of protest against the government’s decision to file the reference against Justice Isa.
President High Court Association Muhammad Iqbal Kasi, Member Balochistan Bar Council Rahib Buledi and Asif Reki were present at the presser with Kanrani.
Mr Kanrani said institutions should refrain from confrontation in view of internal and external security threats challenging the country, “The federal government filed a baseless reference against Justice Qazi Faez Isa, who is being tipped to become the country’s chief justice within three years. We believe the move violates the constitution’s Article 10-A.” Mr Kanrani said.
He said the reference would be “a betrayal of the 60 lawyers who laid down their lives” for supremacy of the law.
Speaking about rumours of a report among lawyers, the chief of the Balochistan Bar Association, Asif Reki, said: “We have suspended the membership of Vice President of Supreme Court Bar Association Saleem Akhtar and other lawyers who are opposing the protest called for June 14.
“All lawyers’ bodies are united in defence of Justice Qazi Faez Isa and we will move toward Islamabad in a convoy.”
June 13, 2019
QUETTA: Supreme Court Bar Association president Amanullah Kanrani speaks during a press conference at Quetta press club on Wednesday. — PPI
QUETTA: The reference filed against Justice Qazi Faez Isa in the Supreme Judicial Council is aimed at pre-empting Balochistan from getting the post of Chief Justice of Pakistan, Amanullah Kanrani, the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) president, said on Wednesday.
Speaking at a press conference, he said the lawyers’ community would hold a sit-in in front of the Supreme Court on Friday (June 14) and burn a copy of the reference.
Mr Kanrani wondered why the SJC had taken up the reference against Justice Isa and ignored complaints filed against other judges.
He said lawyers would boycott court proceedings on Friday as a mark of protest against the government’s decision to file the reference against Justice Isa.
President High Court Association Muhammad Iqbal Kasi, Member Balochistan Bar Council Rahib Buledi and Asif Reki were present at the presser with Kanrani.
Mr Kanrani said institutions should refrain from confrontation in view of internal and external security threats challenging the country, “The federal government filed a baseless reference against Justice Qazi Faez Isa, who is being tipped to become the country’s chief justice within three years. We believe the move violates the constitution’s Article 10-A.” Mr Kanrani said.
He said the reference would be “a betrayal of the 60 lawyers who laid down their lives” for supremacy of the law.
Speaking about rumours of a report among lawyers, the chief of the Balochistan Bar Association, Asif Reki, said: “We have suspended the membership of Vice President of Supreme Court Bar Association Saleem Akhtar and other lawyers who are opposing the protest called for June 14.
“All lawyers’ bodies are united in defence of Justice Qazi Faez Isa and we will move toward Islamabad in a convoy.”
ghazi52
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SJC to hear references against Justice Isa, SHC judge today
June 14, 2019
The Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) will hear references filed against Supreme Court judge Justice Qazi Faez Isa and Sindh High Court (SHC) Judge KK Agha today.
The references are scheduled to be heard at 2pm.
The government had filed references against two superior court judges, Justice Isa and Judge Agha in the SJC after complaints were received against judges for owning properties abroad but did not mention them in their wealth statements.
President Arif Alvi had forwarded the references to the SJC.
The SJC is the only constitutional authority mandated by Article 209 of the Constitution of Pakistan to conduct inquiries into allegations of incapacity or misconduct against a judge of the Supreme Court or of a high court.
It comprises chief justice of Pakistan as chairman, two senior-most judges of the Supreme Court and two senior most judges of the high courts as members.
Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President Amanullah Kanrani while speaking to reporters in Islamabad on Thursday said, lawyers across the country will boycott courts today (Friday).
Kanrani said the reference filed against Justice Isa cannot be called an official one in legal terms at present.
"The matter, right now, is between the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) and the Attorney General," he said. "The matter is in its initial stages."
However, he added that till the SJC did not deem it fit enough to make a case for action, the reference was "just a mere piece of paper".
June 14, 2019
The Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) will hear references filed against Supreme Court judge Justice Qazi Faez Isa and Sindh High Court (SHC) Judge KK Agha today.
The references are scheduled to be heard at 2pm.
The government had filed references against two superior court judges, Justice Isa and Judge Agha in the SJC after complaints were received against judges for owning properties abroad but did not mention them in their wealth statements.
President Arif Alvi had forwarded the references to the SJC.
The SJC is the only constitutional authority mandated by Article 209 of the Constitution of Pakistan to conduct inquiries into allegations of incapacity or misconduct against a judge of the Supreme Court or of a high court.
It comprises chief justice of Pakistan as chairman, two senior-most judges of the Supreme Court and two senior most judges of the high courts as members.
Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President Amanullah Kanrani while speaking to reporters in Islamabad on Thursday said, lawyers across the country will boycott courts today (Friday).
Kanrani said the reference filed against Justice Isa cannot be called an official one in legal terms at present.
"The matter, right now, is between the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) and the Attorney General," he said. "The matter is in its initial stages."
However, he added that till the SJC did not deem it fit enough to make a case for action, the reference was "just a mere piece of paper".
ghazi52
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Only 28 cases pending before Supreme Judicial Council: SC
June 15, 2019
According to a press release issued by the Supreme Court, the figures of pending cases before the Supreme Judicial Council, being quoted by various people in the media, are not only erroneous but also misleading and contrary to facts.
Since the last few days, discussions on electronic and print media convey an impression that around 350 references are pending with the Supreme Judicial Council.
The press release says 426 complaints or references were received in the Supreme Judicial Council.
All of them were processed and after going through various stages of process, 398 cases have been disposed of and only 28 cases, including the two Presidential References, are pending before it.
It further clarifies that all the cases are in process and will be disposed of in due course of time.
June 15, 2019
According to a press release issued by the Supreme Court, the figures of pending cases before the Supreme Judicial Council, being quoted by various people in the media, are not only erroneous but also misleading and contrary to facts.
Since the last few days, discussions on electronic and print media convey an impression that around 350 references are pending with the Supreme Judicial Council.
The press release says 426 complaints or references were received in the Supreme Judicial Council.
All of them were processed and after going through various stages of process, 398 cases have been disposed of and only 28 cases, including the two Presidential References, are pending before it.
It further clarifies that all the cases are in process and will be disposed of in due course of time.
ghazi52
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SJC hears references against judges amid lawyers’ protest
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) Friday took up the presidential references filed against Justice Qazi Faez Isa of the Supreme Court and Justice Karim Khan (KK) Agha of Sindh High Court (SHC).
A five-member bench of the SJC comprising Chief Justice of Pakistan Asif Saeed Khosa, Justice Gulzar Ahmed, Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed, Sindh High Court (SHC) Chief Justice Ahmed Ali M Shaikh and Peshawar High Court (PHC) Chief Justice Waqar Ahmed Seth heard the references.
It was learnt through government circle that the Council started its in-camera proceedings around at 2:20pm wherein, Attorney General Anwar Mansoor Khan who was notified as prosecutor in the instant references presented his arguments however, the decision of the SJC is awaited yet. The SJC held the proceedings for one and a half hours.
Meanwhile, after the proceedings of the SJC, Attorney General Anwar Mansoor Khan when came out from the Judges Block, the media persons posed questions to him about the decision of SJC till he reached his office, however, he remained tight-lipped and did not respond.
The AG after reaching his office, called two Deputy Attorney Generals to his office and held extensive meetings while some of the media men including this scribe waited outside his office with a hope to get any clue about the information relating to the preliminary proceedings of the Supreme Judicial Council.
An official when contacted to know the outcome of SJC meeting said that Attorney General did not comment on it saying in-camera means in-camera. Meanwhile, Ali Ahmed Kurd, former president Supreme Court Bar Association and lead leader in the lawyers’ movement of 2007 said that the Supreme Judicial Council insulted lawyers by not sharing its decision on the presidential reference.
He said that the lawyers along with the incumbent and former presidents of Supreme Court Bar Association as well as Vice Chairman of Pakistan Bar Council came to the Supreme Court at 9:00am in the morning and waited till 6:00pm for the decision of the SJC but the legal fraternity was not informed about its decision.
Apart from Justice Qazi Faez Isa and Justice KK Agha, the whole legal fraternity was party to the presidential reference and the leadership of the lawyers organisations should have been informed about the SJC decision”, Kurd told The News.
He said that that they are respectable people and have been fighting for the protection and independence of the judiciary but today the SJC insulted them by not sharing its decision with them.
Meanwhile, the legal fraternity led by President Supreme Court Bar Association Amanullah Kanrani and Vice Chairman Pakistan Bar Council Syed Amjid Shah staged the whole day a peaceful sit-in at front gate of the Supreme Court as well as inside the entrance hall of the apex court wearing black strips, expressing solidarity with Justice Qazi Faez Isa and Justice KK Agha.
They blocked the main entrance gate of the apex court however, the administration had made an alternative passage for entrance near the Automatic Teller Machine (ATM). Meanwhile, five benches of the apex court continued their functions as per routine and heard cases.
Later, at around 6:00pm, Attorney General Anwar Mansoor Khan again came out of his office and started for Judges block along with Chaudhry Aamir Rehman and Sajid Ilyas Bhatti, Deputy Attorney Generals while the media men again accompanied them asking volley of questions but the AG and his team did not respond to the questions and kept walking.
The media men again kept on walking with the AG thinking that the learned AG might be going again to the venue of SJC however, he went to the car parking area of Judges and drove away.
It was not yet known as to where AG moved after attending the SJC proceeding. Sources, however, said that the AG might have left for Ministry of Law for deliberations with the Minister.
Meanwhile, it was learnt that both the Judges and Registrar of the apex court also left for their homes. Similarly, lawyers along with President SCBA Aman Ullah Kanrani, Vice Chairman Pakistan Bar Council Amjid Shah as well as prominent personalities and senior lawyers including Hamid Khan who is a senior leader of ruling Pakistan Tehreek–e-Insaaf (PTI) as well as Ali Ahmed Kurd, former president Supreme Court Bar Association also waited for the decision of the Supreme Judicial Council and later on addressed the media.
Syed Amjid Shah said that the call they had given for staging a peaceful protest for expressing solidarity with the judges remained successful saying that the SJC held its preliminary proceeding on the presidential reference.
He said that lawyers belonging to Independent and Professional Groups have fully participated in the protest for which he was very much thankful. He however, said that the media did not give much coverage which they expected. He demanded of the Supreme Judicial Council to share with them the decisions and orders so far it has issued in the complaints filed against the judges of the superior judiciary, as required under Rule 13 of the Supreme Judicial Council.
Speaking on the occasion, SCBA President Aman Ulalh Kanrani said they gathered here in defence of law and constitution and their peaceful protest was aimed to wage a war to protect the independent judiciary adding that lawyers across the country expressed their solidarity with the judges and stage a peaceful protest.
He apologised to the litigants for inconvenience they had face in view of the lawyers boycotting the courts proceedings however, he said that they had to do in order to protect the judiciary.
The SCBA president said that the Supreme Judicial Council held its preliminary proceedings in the presidential references saying they have not yet provided the decision of the Council however, he said that they will inform the lawyers as well as media when they came to know about the outcome of the SJC proceedings on presidential reference.
Kanrani thanked the lawyers for extending their fullest support in expressing solidarity with the judiciary. He also thanked the delegation of Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists led by its president Afzal Butt for visiting them.
Asif Ali Bhatti, Secretary General Rawalpindi Union of Journalist (RIUJ) also accompanied the delegation. Earlier, Kanrani and other lawyers burnt symbolically, copies of the references. Banners with slogans against the two references and demanding their withdrawal were put up on walls of the SC building.
Meanwhile, the lawyers observed a strike in Karachi. The Karachi Bar Association put up locks at the city courts gates in protest and boycotted the judicial proceedings. However, a group of lawyers, belonging to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Muttahida Qaumi Movement – Pakistan, which opposed the strike, broke them off.
Over the confrontation, KBA president Naeem Qureshi said the bar is united and only a handful of “opportunist” lawyers are trying to create an air of dissent. He said they are the same lawyers who adopted a similar stance on May 12, 2007 and April 9, 2008. He said this group is upholding the government’s narrative in return for jobs but the bar’s decision to go on strike is in line of the call given by the Pakistan Bar Council and Supreme Court Bar Association on a principle stance. Qureshi said:
The court proceedings also remained suspended in Sindh High Court due to lawyers protest and cases were discharged due to non-appearance of lawyers. The legal fraternity in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa also observed complete strike.
Black flags were hoisted on the premises of the courts and lawyers wore black bands around their arms.
In the provincial capital, the lawyers observed complete boycott of the Peshawar High Court and sub-ordinate district courts. The bar associations also passed resolutions against the government and demanded it to withdraw the references. In his statement, Peshawar High Court Bar Association President Abdul Latif Afridi said that the references against the honest judges of the superior judiciary were nothing but a witch-hunt. He stated that the government was targeting the superior court judges through the references. The opposition group of lawyers in KP also observed strike on the call of Pakistan Bar Council.
The opposition group of KP lawyers said that they staged the one-day strike to maintain unity and they would not be part of the lawyers’ movement over this issue in future. In Lahore, some lawyers protested on the court premises and chanted slogans.
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) Friday took up the presidential references filed against Justice Qazi Faez Isa of the Supreme Court and Justice Karim Khan (KK) Agha of Sindh High Court (SHC).
A five-member bench of the SJC comprising Chief Justice of Pakistan Asif Saeed Khosa, Justice Gulzar Ahmed, Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed, Sindh High Court (SHC) Chief Justice Ahmed Ali M Shaikh and Peshawar High Court (PHC) Chief Justice Waqar Ahmed Seth heard the references.
It was learnt through government circle that the Council started its in-camera proceedings around at 2:20pm wherein, Attorney General Anwar Mansoor Khan who was notified as prosecutor in the instant references presented his arguments however, the decision of the SJC is awaited yet. The SJC held the proceedings for one and a half hours.
Meanwhile, after the proceedings of the SJC, Attorney General Anwar Mansoor Khan when came out from the Judges Block, the media persons posed questions to him about the decision of SJC till he reached his office, however, he remained tight-lipped and did not respond.
The AG after reaching his office, called two Deputy Attorney Generals to his office and held extensive meetings while some of the media men including this scribe waited outside his office with a hope to get any clue about the information relating to the preliminary proceedings of the Supreme Judicial Council.
An official when contacted to know the outcome of SJC meeting said that Attorney General did not comment on it saying in-camera means in-camera. Meanwhile, Ali Ahmed Kurd, former president Supreme Court Bar Association and lead leader in the lawyers’ movement of 2007 said that the Supreme Judicial Council insulted lawyers by not sharing its decision on the presidential reference.
He said that the lawyers along with the incumbent and former presidents of Supreme Court Bar Association as well as Vice Chairman of Pakistan Bar Council came to the Supreme Court at 9:00am in the morning and waited till 6:00pm for the decision of the SJC but the legal fraternity was not informed about its decision.
Apart from Justice Qazi Faez Isa and Justice KK Agha, the whole legal fraternity was party to the presidential reference and the leadership of the lawyers organisations should have been informed about the SJC decision”, Kurd told The News.
He said that that they are respectable people and have been fighting for the protection and independence of the judiciary but today the SJC insulted them by not sharing its decision with them.
Meanwhile, the legal fraternity led by President Supreme Court Bar Association Amanullah Kanrani and Vice Chairman Pakistan Bar Council Syed Amjid Shah staged the whole day a peaceful sit-in at front gate of the Supreme Court as well as inside the entrance hall of the apex court wearing black strips, expressing solidarity with Justice Qazi Faez Isa and Justice KK Agha.
They blocked the main entrance gate of the apex court however, the administration had made an alternative passage for entrance near the Automatic Teller Machine (ATM). Meanwhile, five benches of the apex court continued their functions as per routine and heard cases.
Later, at around 6:00pm, Attorney General Anwar Mansoor Khan again came out of his office and started for Judges block along with Chaudhry Aamir Rehman and Sajid Ilyas Bhatti, Deputy Attorney Generals while the media men again accompanied them asking volley of questions but the AG and his team did not respond to the questions and kept walking.
The media men again kept on walking with the AG thinking that the learned AG might be going again to the venue of SJC however, he went to the car parking area of Judges and drove away.
It was not yet known as to where AG moved after attending the SJC proceeding. Sources, however, said that the AG might have left for Ministry of Law for deliberations with the Minister.
Meanwhile, it was learnt that both the Judges and Registrar of the apex court also left for their homes. Similarly, lawyers along with President SCBA Aman Ullah Kanrani, Vice Chairman Pakistan Bar Council Amjid Shah as well as prominent personalities and senior lawyers including Hamid Khan who is a senior leader of ruling Pakistan Tehreek–e-Insaaf (PTI) as well as Ali Ahmed Kurd, former president Supreme Court Bar Association also waited for the decision of the Supreme Judicial Council and later on addressed the media.
Syed Amjid Shah said that the call they had given for staging a peaceful protest for expressing solidarity with the judges remained successful saying that the SJC held its preliminary proceeding on the presidential reference.
He said that lawyers belonging to Independent and Professional Groups have fully participated in the protest for which he was very much thankful. He however, said that the media did not give much coverage which they expected. He demanded of the Supreme Judicial Council to share with them the decisions and orders so far it has issued in the complaints filed against the judges of the superior judiciary, as required under Rule 13 of the Supreme Judicial Council.
Speaking on the occasion, SCBA President Aman Ulalh Kanrani said they gathered here in defence of law and constitution and their peaceful protest was aimed to wage a war to protect the independent judiciary adding that lawyers across the country expressed their solidarity with the judges and stage a peaceful protest.
He apologised to the litigants for inconvenience they had face in view of the lawyers boycotting the courts proceedings however, he said that they had to do in order to protect the judiciary.
The SCBA president said that the Supreme Judicial Council held its preliminary proceedings in the presidential references saying they have not yet provided the decision of the Council however, he said that they will inform the lawyers as well as media when they came to know about the outcome of the SJC proceedings on presidential reference.
Kanrani thanked the lawyers for extending their fullest support in expressing solidarity with the judiciary. He also thanked the delegation of Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists led by its president Afzal Butt for visiting them.
Asif Ali Bhatti, Secretary General Rawalpindi Union of Journalist (RIUJ) also accompanied the delegation. Earlier, Kanrani and other lawyers burnt symbolically, copies of the references. Banners with slogans against the two references and demanding their withdrawal were put up on walls of the SC building.
Meanwhile, the lawyers observed a strike in Karachi. The Karachi Bar Association put up locks at the city courts gates in protest and boycotted the judicial proceedings. However, a group of lawyers, belonging to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Muttahida Qaumi Movement – Pakistan, which opposed the strike, broke them off.
Over the confrontation, KBA president Naeem Qureshi said the bar is united and only a handful of “opportunist” lawyers are trying to create an air of dissent. He said they are the same lawyers who adopted a similar stance on May 12, 2007 and April 9, 2008. He said this group is upholding the government’s narrative in return for jobs but the bar’s decision to go on strike is in line of the call given by the Pakistan Bar Council and Supreme Court Bar Association on a principle stance. Qureshi said:
The court proceedings also remained suspended in Sindh High Court due to lawyers protest and cases were discharged due to non-appearance of lawyers. The legal fraternity in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa also observed complete strike.
Black flags were hoisted on the premises of the courts and lawyers wore black bands around their arms.
In the provincial capital, the lawyers observed complete boycott of the Peshawar High Court and sub-ordinate district courts. The bar associations also passed resolutions against the government and demanded it to withdraw the references. In his statement, Peshawar High Court Bar Association President Abdul Latif Afridi said that the references against the honest judges of the superior judiciary were nothing but a witch-hunt. He stated that the government was targeting the superior court judges through the references. The opposition group of lawyers in KP also observed strike on the call of Pakistan Bar Council.
The opposition group of KP lawyers said that they staged the one-day strike to maintain unity and they would not be part of the lawyers’ movement over this issue in future. In Lahore, some lawyers protested on the court premises and chanted slogans.
ghazi52
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Important envelope delivered at Justice Faez Isa’s house
ISLAMABAD: An envelope carrying important documents was delivered on Friday evening at the house of Justice Qazi Faez Isa, credible sources told The News.
Sources close to the family revealed that the envelope carrying some pages delivered through an urgent mail service at the Islamabad house around 7:30pm. "Envelope was received by one of staffers of the Justice Sahib. He himself was not at home at that time," an informed government official told The News, seeking anonymity. Justice Sahib was in Lahore -- he was over there for 'fateha' for one of his dear ones who passed away this week," added the official.
When asked whether the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) served the notice or it came from somewhere else, the official parried the question as saying, "It was an important envelope but we are unaware of its content as it was sealed and stamped envelope." Sources further said that Justice Qazi Faez Isa would return to Islamabad at this weekend.
ISLAMABAD: An envelope carrying important documents was delivered on Friday evening at the house of Justice Qazi Faez Isa, credible sources told The News.
Sources close to the family revealed that the envelope carrying some pages delivered through an urgent mail service at the Islamabad house around 7:30pm. "Envelope was received by one of staffers of the Justice Sahib. He himself was not at home at that time," an informed government official told The News, seeking anonymity. Justice Sahib was in Lahore -- he was over there for 'fateha' for one of his dear ones who passed away this week," added the official.
When asked whether the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) served the notice or it came from somewhere else, the official parried the question as saying, "It was an important envelope but we are unaware of its content as it was sealed and stamped envelope." Sources further said that Justice Qazi Faez Isa would return to Islamabad at this weekend.
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ISLAMABAD:
The Supreme Judicial Council (SJC), which is hearing presidential references against two superior court judges, has shared copy of the reference with one of the defendant, Justice Qazi Faez Isa.
A copy of the reference, along with other documents, was delivered to the Supreme Court judge at his Islamabad residence on Friday night.
The council has also offered the apex court judge to present his case against the government’s complaint during the preliminary inquiry conducted by the SJC.
Under rule 8 of Supreme Judicial Council Inquiry Procedure 2005, the SJC shall place the information in respect of the conduct of a Judge before the council for examination. If the council is of the view that before forming an opinion, it should also hear the Judge under inquiry, it shall require the said Judge to present himself before the council.
The SJC is compelled to provide him the information and material received against him under the rule.
If the council is of the opinion that it requires more material or seeks additional information before it can form any opinion, it shall direct accordingly.
On Friday, a five-member SJC bench, comprising Chief Justice of Pakistan Asif Saeed Khosa, Justice Gulzar Ahmed, Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed, Sindh High Court (SHC) Chief Justice Ahmed Ali M Shaikh and Peshawar High Court (PHC) Chief Justice Waqar Ahmed Seth, heard the references amid protests by the legal fraternity which pegs the references as “mala fide”.
The presidential references were filed against two judges who are widely recognised and acknowledged as independent, upright and competent judges. A former Supreme Court judge – who had taken oath under the 2007 Provisional Constitution Order (PCO) — was hired to file the reference by the Ministry of Law and Justice.
The references accuse the judges of allegedly possessing properties in the United Kingdom.
The move garnered criticism from the legal fraternity with the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) demanding President Dr Arif Alvi’s impeachment for filing the reference, while other bar associations also expressed solidarity with the top court judge.
In May, President Arif Alvi authorised the filing of a reference with the SJC against alleged misconduct of Justice Isa and Sindh High Court’s Justice K K Agha, who allegedly hold foreign properties either in their names or through their spouses.
Consequently, Justice Isa had written a letter to President Alvi seeking clarity regarding reports that the government had filed a reference against him over allegations of misconduct. Copies of the letter were sent to Prime Minister Imran Khan and the apex court as well.
The Supreme Judicial Council (SJC), which is hearing presidential references against two superior court judges, has shared copy of the reference with one of the defendant, Justice Qazi Faez Isa.
A copy of the reference, along with other documents, was delivered to the Supreme Court judge at his Islamabad residence on Friday night.
The council has also offered the apex court judge to present his case against the government’s complaint during the preliminary inquiry conducted by the SJC.
Under rule 8 of Supreme Judicial Council Inquiry Procedure 2005, the SJC shall place the information in respect of the conduct of a Judge before the council for examination. If the council is of the view that before forming an opinion, it should also hear the Judge under inquiry, it shall require the said Judge to present himself before the council.
The SJC is compelled to provide him the information and material received against him under the rule.
If the council is of the opinion that it requires more material or seeks additional information before it can form any opinion, it shall direct accordingly.
On Friday, a five-member SJC bench, comprising Chief Justice of Pakistan Asif Saeed Khosa, Justice Gulzar Ahmed, Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed, Sindh High Court (SHC) Chief Justice Ahmed Ali M Shaikh and Peshawar High Court (PHC) Chief Justice Waqar Ahmed Seth, heard the references amid protests by the legal fraternity which pegs the references as “mala fide”.
The presidential references were filed against two judges who are widely recognised and acknowledged as independent, upright and competent judges. A former Supreme Court judge – who had taken oath under the 2007 Provisional Constitution Order (PCO) — was hired to file the reference by the Ministry of Law and Justice.
The references accuse the judges of allegedly possessing properties in the United Kingdom.
The move garnered criticism from the legal fraternity with the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) demanding President Dr Arif Alvi’s impeachment for filing the reference, while other bar associations also expressed solidarity with the top court judge.
In May, President Arif Alvi authorised the filing of a reference with the SJC against alleged misconduct of Justice Isa and Sindh High Court’s Justice K K Agha, who allegedly hold foreign properties either in their names or through their spouses.
Consequently, Justice Isa had written a letter to President Alvi seeking clarity regarding reports that the government had filed a reference against him over allegations of misconduct. Copies of the letter were sent to Prime Minister Imran Khan and the apex court as well.
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Total number of complaints filed against superior judges had been 426
The Supreme Judicial Council (SJC), for the first time, on Saturday revealed that the total number of complaints filed against superior judges had been 426 of which 398 have been disposed of and only 28 cases are currently pending.
The remaining 28 include the two presidential references filed against Supreme Court judge Justice Qazi Faez Isa and Sindh High Court KK Agha.
The disclosure came from the Supreme Court public relations officer after members of the legal fraternity erroneously said that the SJC has about 350 references pending.
Of the 426 references, 398 cases were processed as per “The Supreme Judicial Council Procedure of Enquiry 2005”.
All the cases are in process and shall be disposed of due in course of time, the apex court statement added.
Earlier, executive member of the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) Raheel Kamran Sheikh had approached the SC seeking complete disclosure of complaints and references filed against judges.
However, the top court had turned down Kamran’s plea.
Sheikh had said that process of the judicial accountability must be made more open, transparent and across the board to inspire public confidence and ensure independence of the judiciary, therefore, the demands made by the apex bar for disclosures and against selective accountability must be fulfilled before we can fully trust the process.
It is to be noted that out of 426 complaints/references, only one judge Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui has been ousted by SJC. When the council initiated proceedings few judges then they resigned to save pensionary benefits. Likewise, numbers of complaints were made infructuous after the retirement of numbers of judges.
The Supreme Judicial Council (SJC), for the first time, on Saturday revealed that the total number of complaints filed against superior judges had been 426 of which 398 have been disposed of and only 28 cases are currently pending.
The remaining 28 include the two presidential references filed against Supreme Court judge Justice Qazi Faez Isa and Sindh High Court KK Agha.
The disclosure came from the Supreme Court public relations officer after members of the legal fraternity erroneously said that the SJC has about 350 references pending.
Of the 426 references, 398 cases were processed as per “The Supreme Judicial Council Procedure of Enquiry 2005”.
All the cases are in process and shall be disposed of due in course of time, the apex court statement added.
Earlier, executive member of the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) Raheel Kamran Sheikh had approached the SC seeking complete disclosure of complaints and references filed against judges.
However, the top court had turned down Kamran’s plea.
Sheikh had said that process of the judicial accountability must be made more open, transparent and across the board to inspire public confidence and ensure independence of the judiciary, therefore, the demands made by the apex bar for disclosures and against selective accountability must be fulfilled before we can fully trust the process.
It is to be noted that out of 426 complaints/references, only one judge Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui has been ousted by SJC. When the council initiated proceedings few judges then they resigned to save pensionary benefits. Likewise, numbers of complaints were made infructuous after the retirement of numbers of judges.
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SJC to hear references against Justice Qazi Faez Isa today
The Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) will hear references filed against Supreme Court judge Justice Qazi Faez Isa and Sindh High Court (SHC) Judge KK Agha today.
The government had filed references against two superior court judges, Justice Isa and Judge Agha in the SJC after complaints were received against judges for owning properties abroad but did not mention them in their wealth statements.
President Arif Alvi had forwarded the references to the SJC.
A five-member bench comprising Chief Justice of Pakistan Asif Saeed Khosa, Justice Gulzar Ahmed, Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed, Peshawar High Court's Justice Waqar Ahmed and Sindh High Court's Justice Ahmed Ali Shaikh will hear resume hearing the references filed against the two judges.
During the last sitting of the SJC, the court sent notices to the Attorney General of Pakistan and other parties.
The SJC is the only constitutional authority mandated by Article 209 of the Constitution of Pakistan to conduct inquiries into allegations of incapacity or misconduct against a judge of the Supreme Court or of a high court.
It comprises chief justice of Pakistan as chairman, two senior-most judges of the Supreme Court and two senior most judges of the high courts as members.
The legal fraternity will observe a countrywide strike today to protest against the filing of references against Justice Isa and Justice Agha.
The Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) will hear references filed against Supreme Court judge Justice Qazi Faez Isa and Sindh High Court (SHC) Judge KK Agha today.
The government had filed references against two superior court judges, Justice Isa and Judge Agha in the SJC after complaints were received against judges for owning properties abroad but did not mention them in their wealth statements.
President Arif Alvi had forwarded the references to the SJC.
A five-member bench comprising Chief Justice of Pakistan Asif Saeed Khosa, Justice Gulzar Ahmed, Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed, Peshawar High Court's Justice Waqar Ahmed and Sindh High Court's Justice Ahmed Ali Shaikh will hear resume hearing the references filed against the two judges.
During the last sitting of the SJC, the court sent notices to the Attorney General of Pakistan and other parties.
The SJC is the only constitutional authority mandated by Article 209 of the Constitution of Pakistan to conduct inquiries into allegations of incapacity or misconduct against a judge of the Supreme Court or of a high court.
It comprises chief justice of Pakistan as chairman, two senior-most judges of the Supreme Court and two senior most judges of the high courts as members.
The legal fraternity will observe a countrywide strike today to protest against the filing of references against Justice Isa and Justice Agha.
ghazi52
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AG explains to SJC why govt filed references against judges
July 13, 2019
Attorney General Anwar Mansoor also furnished a reply on behalf of the govt to rebut the stand taken by Justice Isa. — Supreme Court Website
ISLAMABAD: Attorney General Anwar Mansoor appeared before the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) on Friday to explain why the government had moved the references against two superior court judges.
He also furnished a reply on behalf of the government to rebut the stand taken by Justice Qazi Faez Isa of the Supreme Court against the allegations levelled in the presidential reference. The attorney general argued for about 90 minutes before the SJC which met for a third time.
On July 5, the SJC had asked Mr Mansoor to come up with replies to the written submissions furnished by Justice Isa and Justice K.K. Agha of the Sindh High Court against the allegations made by the government in the presidential references.
The five-judge SJC consisting of Chief Justice of Pakistan Asif Saeed Khosa, Justice Gulzar Ahmed, Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed, Sindh High Court Chief Justice Ahmed Ali M. Shaikh and Peshawar High Court Chief Justice Waqar Ahmed Seth is hearing the references against Justice Isa and Justice Agha for allegedly possessing properties in the United Kingdom.
Like earlier SJC sessions, representatives of different bar councils and bar associations staged protest demonstrations on the Supreme Court premises and chanted slogans against the government and in favour of independence of the judiciary and rule of law and the Constitution.
At the last hearing on July 2, the SJC held a brief session in which the attorney general was not summoned. It is believed that the council during the hearing had token up the written replies filed by the judges to rebut the allegations levelled against them by the government.
On June 14, the SJC in its first preliminary hearing had provided the contents of the references to the two judges with a directive for them to volunteer and clarify their position on the allegations levelled against them. However, none of the judges had been issued any formal show-cause notice under the Supreme Judicial Council Procedure of Enquiry 2005. The judges were provided the opportunity to volunteer their responses to the allegations under Section 8(3) of the enquiry rules.
The section suggests that if the council is of the view that before forming an opinion it should also hear the judge under the enquiry, it will require the accused judge to present himself before the council, which will provide him the information and the material received against him.
On Friday, Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) vice chairman Syed Amjad Shah, senior member Hamid Khan, former Supreme Court Bar Association presidents Ali Ahmed Kurd and Yasin Azad and other leaders of lawyers demanded that the council inform the nation about the proceedings against the judges.
Talking to the media, they said the lawyers’ community would never compromise on the matter since it involved independence of the judiciary and the rule of law and demanded that the references be quashed immediately. “We do not want any situation which leads us to any deadlock,” they said, adding that the references reflected mala fide intention of the government and, therefore, these should be rejected immediately.
The PBC has already called a convention on Saturday to protest the filing of the references by the government. It will be at the office of the Peshawar High Court Bar Association.
The lawyers’ leaders said the convention would also deliberate on the functioning of vigilance committees formed during a joint meeting of the representatives of bar councils and bar associations for gathering information regarding inefficiency or incompetency of a sitting judge or any judge with the reputation of being corrupt.
They said the lawyers would also hold protests throughout the country on July 13.
July 13, 2019
Attorney General Anwar Mansoor also furnished a reply on behalf of the govt to rebut the stand taken by Justice Isa. — Supreme Court Website
ISLAMABAD: Attorney General Anwar Mansoor appeared before the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) on Friday to explain why the government had moved the references against two superior court judges.
He also furnished a reply on behalf of the government to rebut the stand taken by Justice Qazi Faez Isa of the Supreme Court against the allegations levelled in the presidential reference. The attorney general argued for about 90 minutes before the SJC which met for a third time.
On July 5, the SJC had asked Mr Mansoor to come up with replies to the written submissions furnished by Justice Isa and Justice K.K. Agha of the Sindh High Court against the allegations made by the government in the presidential references.
The five-judge SJC consisting of Chief Justice of Pakistan Asif Saeed Khosa, Justice Gulzar Ahmed, Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed, Sindh High Court Chief Justice Ahmed Ali M. Shaikh and Peshawar High Court Chief Justice Waqar Ahmed Seth is hearing the references against Justice Isa and Justice Agha for allegedly possessing properties in the United Kingdom.
Like earlier SJC sessions, representatives of different bar councils and bar associations staged protest demonstrations on the Supreme Court premises and chanted slogans against the government and in favour of independence of the judiciary and rule of law and the Constitution.
At the last hearing on July 2, the SJC held a brief session in which the attorney general was not summoned. It is believed that the council during the hearing had token up the written replies filed by the judges to rebut the allegations levelled against them by the government.
On June 14, the SJC in its first preliminary hearing had provided the contents of the references to the two judges with a directive for them to volunteer and clarify their position on the allegations levelled against them. However, none of the judges had been issued any formal show-cause notice under the Supreme Judicial Council Procedure of Enquiry 2005. The judges were provided the opportunity to volunteer their responses to the allegations under Section 8(3) of the enquiry rules.
The section suggests that if the council is of the view that before forming an opinion it should also hear the judge under the enquiry, it will require the accused judge to present himself before the council, which will provide him the information and the material received against him.
On Friday, Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) vice chairman Syed Amjad Shah, senior member Hamid Khan, former Supreme Court Bar Association presidents Ali Ahmed Kurd and Yasin Azad and other leaders of lawyers demanded that the council inform the nation about the proceedings against the judges.
Talking to the media, they said the lawyers’ community would never compromise on the matter since it involved independence of the judiciary and the rule of law and demanded that the references be quashed immediately. “We do not want any situation which leads us to any deadlock,” they said, adding that the references reflected mala fide intention of the government and, therefore, these should be rejected immediately.
The PBC has already called a convention on Saturday to protest the filing of the references by the government. It will be at the office of the Peshawar High Court Bar Association.
The lawyers’ leaders said the convention would also deliberate on the functioning of vigilance committees formed during a joint meeting of the representatives of bar councils and bar associations for gathering information regarding inefficiency or incompetency of a sitting judge or any judge with the reputation of being corrupt.
They said the lawyers would also hold protests throughout the country on July 13.
