Pak lawyers' bodies rift weakening movement to restore sacked judges

Islamabad, July 21 : A reported split between the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) and the Pakistan Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) is said to be causing cracks in the movement to restore the country's sacked judges.

According to the Daily Times, six PBC members have submitted a requisition for arranging a meeting on July 26 to discuss "various decisions the SCBA has taken without a prior approval of the PBC".

These members have also requested the PBC executive committee to issue a show-cause notice to SCBA President Aitzaz Ahsan for taking a "solo flight" in several matters in violation of PBC's decisions and mandates.

The All Pakistan Lawyers' Representatives Conference had on Saturday set August 14 as the new deadline for the government to reinstate the judges sacked by President General Pervez Musharraf last year.

The six PBC members said the conference was arranged without the prior approval of the PBC.

Differences between the lawyers are also evident from another resolution moved by the PPP-backed PBC members against Ahsan on criticising the PBC's actions.

PBC member Hamid Khan, however, denied any rift within the PBC, saying the council would endorse the conference's decisions with a majority in its upcoming meeting.

Supreme Court lawyer Rai Muhammad Nawaz Kharral said the lawyers' movement has lost momentum due to differences among lawyers' bodies.

ANI