The Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) has chosen not to attend the dinner hostedby the Supreme Court in honor of outgoing Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandialdue to his decision not to hold a full court reference. PBC Vice-ChairmanHaroon-ur-Rashid conveyed the council’s concerns regarding the judicialflaws and merits in retiring Chief Justice’s reference. He stated thatsince Chief Justice Bandial declined the full court reference, the PBCdecided to protest by not participating in the dinner hosted in his honorby the judges.
Additionally, the PBC official highlighted that there are approximately60,000 pending cases in the Supreme Court, and despite repeated reminders,there has been no transparent procedure established for their resolution.He expressed disappointment that Chief Justice Bandial had not met with PBCoffice-bearers despite their requests, and the PBC felt ignored as the apexbody of lawyers in the country.
He complained that CJP Bandial never met the PBC office-bearers despiterepeated requests.
The PBC official regretted that whenever his body sent a request for ameeting, the top judge replied that there was no need for it as he was intouch with the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA).
He added that the PBC was ignored despite being the apex body of lawyers inthe country.
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The official hoped that the incoming Chief Justice would address theseissues and pledged the PBC’s support for the judiciary’s honor andimprovement. He also requested the incoming Chief Justice to allow lawyersto present their arguments fully and avoid making prejudiced remarks at thestart of proceedings.
Critically, the PBC official accused the outgoing Chief Justice of makingcontroversial decisions to satisfy his personal ego and failing to createconsensus within the Supreme Court. He called for the implementation of theSupreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Act, 2023 and pointed outinconsistencies in election-related orders.
In conclusion, the official expressed doubt that Chief Justice Bandial’sdecisions would be remembered positively in history and called on theincoming Chief Justice, Qazi Faez Isa, to address pending complaintsagainst judges in accordance with the Constitution.
