Pakistan: Bars to oppose any job extension to CJP

DAILY TIMES

The superior bars have decided to resist any move to give job extension to Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry after his retirement. According to the sources, Independent Group of lawyers, which is ruling the Supreme Court Bar Association and Pakistan Bar Council for the last three years has decided to oppose any move, including constitutional amendment, to give two-year job extension to Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry after his retirement. The sources told Daily Times that an important meeting of the Independent Group was held at Lahore on Saturday. It has been learnt that incumbent PBC Vice Chairman Syed Qalb-e- Hassan, former vice chairman Akhtar Hussain, incumbent SCBA President Mian Israrul Haq, former SCBA presidents Asma Jahangir, Yasin Azad, Lahore High Court Bar Association President Abid Saqi and other representatives of the four provincial bars attended the meeting. The sources said that the outcome of that meeting is likely to be made public through a press release today (Monday). They said that it had been decided during the meeting that the superior bars would take a “principled stand” by opposing any move to give job extensions to the heads of institutions like judiciary and army. Meanwhile, two participants of the June 8 meeting confirmed that superior bars would oppose any constitutional amendment on this matter. It is worth mentioning that a couple of petitions have been filed in the Supreme Court this year, seeking directions for two years extension in the service of CJP Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry after his retirement. Though the SC Registrar’s Office has already returned one petition on this issue last week but lawyers have decided to preempt any future move in this regard. It is worth mentioning that PML-N Information Secretary Mushahidullah has already said that his party would seriously consider extension in service of CJP Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry after his retirement.