A delegation of Islamabad Bar Association led by its President Zahid Mahmood Raja visited Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry and discussed formation of a joint committee comprising representatives of ICCI and Islamabad Bar Association to work for the shifting of district courts from F-8 Markaz.
Speaking at the occasion, Islamabad Bar Association President, Mr. Zahid Mahmood Raja, said that lawyers were fully cognizant of the fact that traders were facing problems due to the existence of district courts in F-8 business centre and assured that Bar would fully cooperate with ICCI for shifting of courts from this business area.
He said government had allotted 5 acres of land in G-10 Sector adjacent to Islamabad High Court for construction of chambers complex for judges & lawyers, however no funds have been allocated and it was not possible for lawyers to construct the said complex on self-finance basis that would cost an estimated amount of Rs.2.2 billion. He said ICCI and Islamabad Bar Association should sign MoU for developing long-term partnership to achieve the common goals with joint efforts. He condemned the imposition of 0.3 percent tax on banking transactions and termed it unjustified and assured that lawyers would fully cooperate with business community for finding out amicable solution of this tax.
In his welcome address, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry Acting President, M. Ashfaq Hussain Chatha, said that the prevailing condition of district courts in F-8 Markaz was not in commensurate with the dignity of judges and lawyers and it was also a big security threat for them. He said Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry has formed a Committee to find out amicable solution of this issue and Islamabad Bar Association should nominate its members for Joint Committee for arranging early shifting of courts from said area.
He called upon the government to allocate necessary funds for the construction of lawyers’ chambers complex in G-10 sector so that the district courts could be shifted from F-8 commercial centre. Lauding the efforts of lawyers’ community for the restoration of judiciary, he stressed that Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Islamabad Bar Association should develop close liaison for resolving common problems and facilitating the growth of business activities in the federal capital. He said withholding tax on banking transactions has created lot of problems for business community and lawyers should support businessmen for its solution.