LAHORE: The Supreme Judicial Council today (Feb 12) held that it could not inquire into the first three charges listed against Justice Shabbir Ahmed in the reference made by the President in view of the Supreme Court decisions in Mr Gardezi’s appeal and the action taken by the High Court and the Supreme Court in respect of the apologies submitted by Justice Shabbir Ahmed.

With regard to the fourth charge, the Council held that the conduct allegedly took place nearly five years ago at a time when the functions now entrusted to the Supreme Judicial Council were vested in the Supreme Court.

“The Supreme Judicial Council can only presume that the Government of the time did not deem it fit to refer the conduct which is now alleged to have been misconduct justifying removal, to the Supreme Court.”

The President had referred to the Council four charges against Mr Justice Shabbir Ahmed of the West Pakistan High Court for inquiry and report whether he could be removed from office.

The Supreme Judicial Council consisted of Mr Justice A.R. Cornelius (Chairman), Mr Justice S.A. Rahman, Mr Justice Fazle Akbar, Mr Justice I.H. Chowdhury and Mr Justice Manzur Qadir.

The Council released to the Press today the report submitted by it to the President about the reference. In its 10-page report, the Council also dealt with its power to take upon itself the cases referred to it.—Agencies

Medical students want vacations

KARACHI: The students of the Dow Medical College yesterday passed a resolution urging the Karachi University authorities to give them vacation and declare the present vacation till Feb 14 otherwise “we shall have to take recourse to other means”.

Mr Baqar Askari, President of the Union deplored the attitude of the authorities and said the Vice-Chancellor had given “an assurance to the Medical students that they would be given holidays” when he was the guest of honour at their annual sports meet.

He added that the students had grown restive over the matter and might go on strike if the issue was not resolved immediately. —Staff Correspondent