Some media savvy lawyers, under a hidden agenda, are bringing a bad name to the entire lawyers’ community by humiliating General (r) Pervez Musharraf and scuffling with his supporters, say lawyer leaders.
“Quarrelling with anyone is not the job of lawyers. We are educated people and we should follow the law, which provides equal rights to all political workers,” Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) Vice Chairman Syed Qalbe Hassan said.
The senior lawyer said the Supreme Court was hearing a high treason case against the former military dictator so lawyers should leave the court to decide on the fate of Musharraf.
“We should show decency during his appearance in courts as he has a constitutional right to a fair trial,” Hassan said.
A senior lawyer of the Islamabad High Court (IHC), Chaudhry Khalid seconded Hassan’s opinion. “No doubt, some young lawyers had a quarrel with All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) supporters the other day. The representatives of IHC and district bar strongly condemn the incident. Being educated people, lawyers should respect the law,” he said.
However, he went on to say that APML workers were trying to tarnish the image of the lawyers and were wearing black coats pretending to be members of the legal fraternity. “Believe me, at an abandoned area near F-8 on Saturday, I myself witnessed APML workers wearing black coats. When such people turn violent it appears that lawyers are breaking the law,” Khalid said.
Former IHC Bar Association president Ashraf Gujjar, however, solely held the APML responsible for all violent episodes that took place between lawyers and Musharraf’s supporters. He said everyday police produced hundreds of accused in various courts, but no such situation arises. “APML brought hired people on Musharraf’s hearing to chant pro-Musharraf and anti-judiciary slogans… In retaliation some young lawyers responded,” he said.
Such tactics by APML, he said, was an attempt to pressurise courts. “Let me assure you if Musharraf does not bring his supporters in courts, lawyers will not chant slogans against him and will not take the law into their hands. We believe in the supremacy of law,” he added.
Statements are not enough. PBC must take actions against those lawyers and may cancel their membership or cancel their licenses to practice law. This will be an example to prevent future instances. Those lawyers must be punished.
Disclaimer. I am not member of any political party and not a supporter of Mr Musharaff.
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