LHCBA calls for reference against judges who attended Asma Jahangir Conference

LAHORE: Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) President Maqsood Butter on Thursday expressed serious reservations over the participation of judges of superior courts in the Asma Jahangir Conference, and demanded Judicial Council to initiate reference against them.

Addressing a press conference, Butter called the conference a ‘political show’, adding that: “the judges’ appearance in the conference gives the impression that they are supporting a particular political group of Bar politics.”

He said that judges should never participate in politics, adding that it was unfortunate to note that the higher judiciary is involved in the politics of the bar which they should not do under any circumstances.

He said that the SCBA was the largest political wing of lawyers whose role had always been to remain neutral at the national level.

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He said the Pakistan Bar or the Supreme Court Bar Association should work for its lawyers’ community and there should be no other agenda. He said the chief justice of Pakistan said that the institution is independent and free, however, the perception is contrary to it.

Speaking on the occasion, senior lawyer Hamid Khan said Bar did not hold press conferences, in the past, with an NGO or other organization so that there remains no misconception among the people.

“The role of the bar association should be seen differently,” he said.