ISLAMABAD, Jan 11: The second meeting of the 14th executive committee of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) adopted on Wednesday a hard-hitting, but disputed resolution, condemning perceived attempts on part of the government to flout the Supreme Court’s verdict on the NRO.

Attended by 21 members of the newly-elected body of the SCBA, the resolution was signed by 16 members. President Yasin Azad and four other office-bearers chose not to support it.

Soon after the meeting, the association called on Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry to discuss difficulties being faced by litigants and the lawyers’ community.

Recounting the epic struggle by lawyers in the wake of the tumultuous events of March 9, 2007, the chief justice said the struggle heralded the dawn of democracy, rule of law and constitutionalism in the country.

The chief justice also emphasised the need to have a truly democratic and rights-based polity – a sine qua non for social stability and harmony.

Appreciating the Jan 10 order in which the Supreme Court had laid out six options for the government, the SCBA resolution warned of dealing sternly with those responsible for flouting and disobeying the NRO judgment.

The association, through the resolution, deplored the alleged disobedience and non-implementation of judicial verdicts. It said the association condemned the ongoing defiance of judgments of the courts and the “scorn being cast upon the judiciary by vested quarters”.

The association noted that since the matter regarding involvement of former law minister Babar Awan in the alleged ridiculing of the court was sub judice, it did not merit further comments.

At the same time the resolution made it clear that it would defend the superior courts against scandals, attacks and ridicule with all lawful means at its disposal.

The SCBA resolution said it respects the right of all citizens to criticise and comment upon judgments of the superior courts, including the apex court. But this right should not be extended to ridiculing judicial institutions or imputing motives upon the court, it said.

The resolution recalled that the SCBA had rendered unprecedented sacrifices for the cause of an independent judiciary and for maintaining the respect, dignity and writ of the apex court.

Those who chose not to sign the resolution, besides President Azad, were: Vice President Jehanzeb Jadoon, Secretary General Aslam Zar, Additional Secretary Sardar Abdul Majeed and member (executives) from Balochistan Ghulam Mustafa Buzdar.

But those who supported the resolution were Vice President from Sindh K. A. Wahab, Finance Secretary Fayyaz Ahmed Rana, member executives Aslam Ghumman, Khan Afzal Khan, Kifayatullah, Habib Qureshi, Amir Sohail, Mian Ayub, Khalid Baloch, Shabbir Shah,
Abbas Ali and Sardar Arjun.

Meanwhile, a meeting between the chief justice and the SCBA executive committee resolved that a committee comprising SCBA office-bearers and officers of the Supreme Court would resolve issues like construction of parking sheds and other administrative matters.

Fixing of cases was also discussed and decisions were taken to facilitate lawyers, especially those hailing from Quetta and Karachi regions.

The meeting discussed the working of local commissions at the district courts for the purpose of recording evidence.

The meeting offered Fateha for senior lawyers Nasrullah Waraich, Talib Rizvi, Asif Bhatti and Mohsin Javed.