The Islamabad High Court Bar Association (IHCBA) and the Islamabad District Bar Association (IDBA) have banned the entry of senior lawyers Aitzaz Ahsan and Zahid Hussain Bokhari into the premises of IHC and district court for supporting real estate tycoon Malik Riaz in the Arslan Ifthikar graft case.
In response to Malik Riaz’s press conference, in which he hurled serious allegations against Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, all lawyers affiliated with the IHCBA and the IDBA unanimously decided that none of them would be appearing in any court on behalf of Malik Riaz.
Malik Riaz, the developer of Bahria Town, is facing dozens of land dispute cases in various courts.
Resolutions to the effect were passed by the IHCBA and the district bar in a joint meeting held here on Thursday at district court. “Aitzaz’s entry is banned for not standing with the judiciary against the contemptuous press conference of property tycoon, in which he leveled allegation against the CJP, and for representing Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani in the Supreme Court in a contempt of court case. Whereas, Zahid Bokhari’s entry is banned for representing the real estate tycoon in the apex court,” Advocate Khalid Hussain, spokesman for the IHCBA and the district bar said.
During the meeting, lawyers also expressed solidarity with the CJP and the judiciary. They condemned the charges leveled against the CJP by Malik Riaz. “Conspiracy is being hatched against the CJP and the judiciary. The lawyer community across the country will foil this and the IHCA will lead the movement to save the judiciary as in the past we did,” said IHCBA President Syed Nayyab Hassan Gardezi. On Thursday evening, various bar leaders met at the IHC to evolve further strategy in favour of the judiciary and against the property tycoon.
Aitzaz, Bokhari’s entry banned in IHC, district courts
