ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Bar Association (PBA) and the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) on Sunday distanced themselves from the Lahore High Court Bar Association’s (LHCBA) ultimatum given to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
On Saturday, the LHCBA threatened to start a lawyers’ movement if the prime minister did not resign within seven days.
Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) Vice Chairman Ahsen Bhoon said they believed that the PM should resign in view of the apex court’s verdict.“However, the LHCBA’s announcement for a movement is premature and based on emotions,” he stated.
Bhoon believed that such a move showed distrust in the decisiongiven by the three judges who ruled in the majority. “Morally, the PM has lost his ground, but legally, he can stay in office,” he explained.
Bhoon said lawyers must wait for the findings of the joint investigation team (JIT) before taking any forceful steps against the government.
“The PBC, as a top regulatory body of lawyers, will only take steps after input from representatives from all bar associations,” he affirmed.Hesaidthat the SC shouldfinalise the members of the JIT after examining their credentials.
Supreme Court Bar Association General Secretary Aftab Bajwa said the SCBA would soon summon a convention of lawyers’ representatives to start a movement for the PM’s resignation.
Referring tothe LHCBA’s call, he said it was the bar’s own decision and the SCBA would not join before consulting all lawyers’ bodies.
Islamabad High Court Bar Association (IHCBA) President Arif Chaudhry also disowned the LHCBA call. He said that they would not make any decision on the issue until consultations were held with all executive committee members. After the LHCBA issued its ultimatum, federal government representatives started approaching different bar associations to muster their support.
