PAKISTAN BAR COUNCIL
Dated: 05.07.2020
PRESS RELEASE
An emergent meeting of Executive Committee of the Pakistan Bar Council was held on 04.07.2020 at 1:00 pm under the chairmanship of Mr. Azam Nazeer Tarar, Chairman Executive Committee, at Lahore.
The attendance of the meeting was as under:-
- Azam Nazeer Tarar Chairman
- Muhammad Ahsan Bhoon Member
- Abid Saqi Member
- Ch. Hafeez-ur-Rehman Member
- Syed Qalb-e-Hassan Special Invitee
- Akhtar Hussain Special Invitee
- Tahir Nasrullah Warraich Special Invitee
The meeting apart from transacting other business on its agenda, also took decisions as detailed below:-
(1) Amendments in the “Pakistan Legal Practitioners and Bar Council Rules, 1976”.
The Executive Committee while considering proposals of some of the Bar Councils and Bar Associations pertaining to amendments recently made by the Pakistan Bar Council in the Pakistan Legal Practitioners and Bar Council Rules, 1976, formulated its recommendations in respect of earlier amended Rules with regard to the qualifications and criteria of Candidates for contesting elections of Provincial/Islamabad Bar Councils and that of the Rule prescribing the condition of two years practice for an advocate to exercise his right of vote in election of Bar Associations. The recommendations so formulated relaxing and modifying the criteria have been sent to the Pakistan Bar Council for its consideration and approval in circulation.
(2) Enrollment of Advocates by some of the Provincial Bar Councils disregarding the requirements of the rules
The Executive Committee on the proposal of Mr. Muhammad Ahsan Bhoon, expressed its grave concern that some of the Provincial Bar Councils are granting enrollment as Advocate to persons not qualified as per the requirement of Rules especially in respect of passing the LAWGAT Examination and authorized its Vice Chairman Mr. Abid Saqi and Chairman Executive Committee Mr. Azam Nazeer Tarar to take up the matter with the Provincial Bar Councils requiring them to furnish complete date of Advocates enrolled by them during the past three years specifically mentioning the number of marks they secured in the LAWGAT Examination. On receipt of the data from different Bar Councils, the Executive Committee will consider the matter further and take an appropriate action in the cases where it found non-observance/fulfillment of requisite rules in respect of enrollment of Advocates
(3) Condemnation of ban imposed by PEMRA on “Channel-24”
The Executive Committee strongly condemned the ban imposed by Chairman, PEMRA on Channel-24, terming that a glaring violation of fundamental rights of expression as enshrined by the Constitution. The Committee, therefore, demanded the Government to immediately lift the ban upon Chanel-24 permitting it to restart its transmission and professional activities etc. without any interference from any government agency.
(4) Concerns over arrest and detention of Mir Shakil-ur-Rehman
The Committee, on the motion of Mr. Akhtar Hussain, also expressed its serious concerns over unjustified arrest and detention of Editor in Chief of ‘Jang’ Mir Shakil-ur-Rehman by NAB and termed his arrest in a criminal matter pertaining to year 1986 a mala fide act. The Committee also requested its Members Mr. Abid Saqi, Syed Qalb-ii-Hassan and Mr. Tahir Nasrullah Warraich to attend future hearing of the case, as requested by many senior journalists, in order to show solidarity with the journalist community.
(5) 5th July “Black Day in Pakistan’s History”
The Committee resolved that 5th July will remain a “Black Day” in the History of Pakistan when a “Dictator” overthrew a democratically elected government led by Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto. The Committee expressed its resolve that Legal Fraternity will always protect and safeguard democratic system and values in Pakistan. The Committee also praised and prayed for thousands of Heroes who sacrificed their lives or liberties in opposing dictatorial regime of General Zia.
Sd/-
SECRETARY
Pakistan Bar Council