Zawwar Sheikh sent on 4-month leave; judges call off strike

The man who caused the clash between the Bar and the Bench, Zawwar Ahmed Sheikh, Lahore District & Sessions Judge, has been sent on four-month leave, Dunya News reported on Tuesday. Judge Suhail Nasir would take charge in Zawwar's absence. In the meantime, lower courts judges called off their strike after meeting with the Chief Justice of Lahore Khawaja Sharif who ordered them to resume their services.On Monday, the Lahore Bar Association held a general house meeting and took out processions in protest against alleged police torture of lawyers and non-acceptance of its demand for transfer of Zawwar Ahmad Sheikh. The lawyers, however, continue their boycott of the court. Situation not defused: Chairman Pb Bar Talking to Dunya News, Chairman Punjab Bar Council Mumtaz Mustafa said that the transfer of Zawwar Sheikh has not defused the situation. He said that a judge should have been penalized for backing crooks. Making fun of the civil judges who resigned en bloc, Mustafa said that they were protesting the transfer and now they should not withdraw their resignations for the judge has been transferred. Hidden elements trying to cash in on row: Advocate Hamid Khan Talking on the issue, advocate Hamid Khan stated that some hidden elements are trying to fan the ongoing clash on the pretext of a judges transfer. He alleged Mumtaz Mustafa, Chairman Punjab Bar Council and Sajid Bashir, President Lahore Bar, of acting on the behest of Federal Law Minister Babar Awan. He said that it seemed as if some lawyers did not want to resolve the issue early.