May 31, 2023

PRESS RELEASE

Today, meetings of the Executive Committee and Central Free Legal Aid Committee of the Pakistan Bar Council was held under the Chairmanship of Mr. Hassan Raza Pasha and Ch. Tahir Nasrullah Warraich, which was also attended by Mr. Haroon-ur-Rashid, Vice-Chairman and it was unanimously resolved that the Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Act, 2023, has been duly enacted by the Parliament while exercising its powers under Article 191 of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and the same is the outcome of the struggle of the legal fraternity i.e. Pakistan Bar Council, Provincial/Islamabad Bar Councils as well as previously Supreme Court Bar Association of Pakistan, since more than two decades and it was further resolved that lawyers community will stand by its commitment and will continue its struggle to save this precious legislation.

The Pakistan Bar Council discussed the 9th May 2023 episodes of violence and attacks on private and public properties in different parts of the Country. The Council despised the ghastly, horrific and shameful incidents of committing arson, and mischief and defiling of monuments of martyrs. The Council believes that political protests should only be carried out in peaceful manner and no one shall be allowed to take the law in his own hands.

On the subject of military trials, Council reiterated its consistent view that ordinarily, no civilians are persecuted or tried under the provisions of Army Act, 1952, in this backdrop, it is demanded that extraordinary care and restraint shall be exercised by the relevant authorities and it shall be ensured that no innocent shall be persecuted.

The Council further urged that every under trial individual shall be afforded with the opportunity of due process of law and fair trial as enshrined in Articles 4 and 10A of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

The Council strongly condemned all acts of violence and terrorism and the only responsible of such crimes shall be dealt in accordance with law. They reiterated its long standing demands for the Supremacy of the Constitution, strengthening of the democratic Institutions and Rule of Law.

It also condemned the porn video leaks violating of the privacy of personal lives of the individuals.

It was further resolved that References filed against Judges of the Superior Courts including filed by the Pakistan Bar Council shall be placed before the Supreme Judicial Council for their consideration and disposal in accordance with law. The Council further expressed its serious concern that some of the Judges against whom References are pending they instead of deciding cases on merits, seal the fate of the parties just to please the lawyers who speak in their favour.

SECRETARY