Deadlock between IHC Bar Association and IHC ends
Last week Umair Baloch an advocate was issued show-cause notice for forcing lawyers to partake in a strike
December 19, 2019
The nearly week-long impasse between the Islamabad High Court Bar Association (IHCBA) and the Islamabad High Court (IHC), ended as the Court took back a notice it had earlier issued to a lawyer for misconduct and contempt.
Last week, Umair Baloch, an advocate and the secretary of the IHC Bar Association, was issued a show-cause notice by the Court for forcing lawyers to quit courtrooms and partake in a strike by the Bar against the government and police officials. The lawyers were protesting the arrest of 80 legal practitioners in Lahore, who stormed a cardiac hospital, and attacked doctors and patients.
Soon after, the IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah issued Baloch a show-cause notice for contempt of court, and also cancelled the lawyer’s license.
On Thursday, Justice Minallah, while hearing the case, remarked that the court does not believe in giving punishment for contempt of court. He added that with great sadness he had issued the show cause notice to Baloch. “The courts can only be strengthened if the bar is strong,” the judge said.
The chief justice then appreciated the members of the Bar for presenting themselves to the court, which, he said, showed that they had realized their mistake. “I am certain this bar will respect the independence of the judiciary.” Only a strong bar association, said Justice Minallah, can hold the judges accountable.
The bar needs to be a role model for the people, for them to have faith in the workings of the judiciary, added the chief justice. “We will not let a third forced use such incidents to their advantage,” he added.
The court then took back the show cause notice.
