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Shezan Juice ban becomes controversial as its owners were Ahmadis, showing ethnic racialization. File Photo
LAHORE: The Lahore Bar Association denies it has – as yet — banished a soft drink brand from its domain amid a raging debate that has spawned many issues in need for some urgent scrutiny: the tendency to witch-hunt minorities, the ethics that educated professionals must follow and a general increase in the levels of intolerance in the society.
LBA President Chaudhry Zulfiqar Ali told Dawn on Wednesday he had not issued any directions to the canteens attached with the lower courts in Lahore to stop selling Shezan juice. The last weekend, some newspapers had reported that Shezan had been banned in the lower court complexes of Lahore that fell under the LBA’s area of activity. The reports, which quoted Chaudhry Zulfiqar as confirming the restriction, said the decision had been justified on the basis of an understanding that the company which produced Shezan had Ahmadis as its owners. This led to controversy.
A series of newspaper columnists and bloggers decried the ‘ban’. Online petitions were initiated in reaction to this fresh evidence of ‘intolerance’. Also recent instances of persecution of the minorities were recalled to back the demands of review and remedy.
The lawyers were criticised for actively encouraging discrimination on the basis of faith, not least of all by some of their colleagues. Chauhdry Zulfiqar now refutes he had ever asked the canteens in the subordinate courts of the city to stop selling Shezan juice. He talks of numerous small groups that exist within his association and explains it was one such group that had moved a resolution for a ban on the Shezan drink during the last LBA meeting. And that is where the matter stands, insists Chaudhry Zulfiqar, since, he says the resolution has to be approved by the LBA’s general council to become effective. The group behind the motion goes by the title of Khatm-i-Nabuwwat Lawyers’ Forum (KNLF). “Simply moving a resolution does not, in any way, mean its automatic adoption,” the LBA president says: “The general council would decide the matter whenever it is convened next. Till then, there is no ban.” The LBA could well have a lively general council session in store. The issue has already received widespread publicity, the additional impetus for the movers to go the whole hog on this one. The KNLF is not an altogether unknown group. It has been throwing its weight around during recent bar elections. Indeed in 2010, major political parties such as the PPP and the PML-N were blamed for their nomination of a lawyer with said links with the KNLF to the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) for the appointment of judges to the Lahore High Court.
A rival lawyers’ group called it a “political” move, which would indicate the KNLF is important enough for practitioners of bar politics to be on good terms with. This could come into consideration when the general council of the LBA meets and debate the resolution calling for a ban.
There are a couple of opposite arguments though, for the consideration of the lawyers before they reach a decision in the LBA general council. The first one questions the very use of religion and religious sentiments in this case. The second argument does not take on the premise or the motive but asks for a verification of the facts this premise is based upon.
A spokesman for the Shezan International Dawn contacted on Wednesday said Shezan was a public limited company with some 60,000 shares floating in the market. “The National Bank of Pakistan and the National Investment Trust are among the Shezan shareholders,” Muhammad Waseem said. As per the usual practice for such businesses, the Shezan spokesman says, his company has a chief executive officer and a chief financial officer to oversee its work. The two men who are holding these positions with Shezan are Muslim – “they do not belong to any religious minority as is being alleged”.
Our many friends have rightly commented. No body should be condemned unheard. All living in Pakistan are Pakistani and they have equal rights irrespective of their religion, creed, sect, colour, race, ethnic group. We must give fundamental rights to every citizen. Ban on products without any obvious defect should not be banned in my opinion.
Lawyers in Pakistan are now officialy the law breakers – see how they behave parking their motor bikes and chat to others, like any other non law folks, emboldened by their role in the over throw of Musharaf. Disgusting how the same lawyers speak for the release of convicted murderer of former Punjab Governor.
How Ironic. It reminds me of some of the high caste "Brahmins" in India who refuse to eat food served by Dalits. Now we have honorable Lawyers of Pakistan who refuse a juice because its owned by Ahmadis. I do wonder if these 'high class' Lawyers will accept water from a non-Muslim if they are dying of thirst in a desert.
If that is the case , then why we welcome foreign investments and aids from christian countries and use there products :S ….. Double standards ???
And this is supposed to the elite of Pakistan. I am just plain disgusted at the lawyers that Pakistan is producing.
This action comes from lawers. Shame on us all
Its good they are retracting their words..They knew that they were making a mockery of themselves!
If its true, its crazy.
I am so shocked that i have no other emotion except to pity what you have done to your country and your self .
I can't believe this. What does this has to do with Ahmadis or some other sects? I really love Shezan products, their mango juices and syrups. Pakistanis have been enjoying them for many years and now we have become so intolerant that we want to ban the products of our own companies. Why don't they think same for other foreign brands? Again I am not saying that I favor a ban against foreign brands but I am just trying to make my point as I am a believer in free market.
This will definitely send a negative message to international companies who plan to invest in Pakistan.
Sad at the response from Shezan that their corporate heads are "Muslims"… there response should have been a two finger salute to these bigots who call themselves "lawyers".
What difference does it make if the owner of a business doesn't adhere to your faith?
The fact that this is coming from the legal community is all the more frightening.
shame on us what we were and what we become in last 40+ years.
This news seems like a case of yellow journalism — "liberals" trying to create a situation from nothing. People say many things, does it means that it becomes a rule or law?
If it's true then it's very shameful and reflects height of intolerance in society. The lawyers are expected to guide the people on principles of democracy and tolerance. It also reflects poor state of education system of county.
This is the proof of pure intolerance, sad.
Hmmm, the irony. Muslim businesses in Indian Gujarat were accused of being shunned after the 2002 riots. Now as per most indications, it looks like all is well and the progress and development in Gujarat is pretty inclusive and double that in other states in India – this, under a ultra-right-wing BJP government.