SC orders demolition of illegally constructed lawyers' chambers in Islamabad
Supreme Court upheld verdict of IHC
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) on Tuesday rejected plea of Islamabad Bar and ordered demolition of illegally constructed chambers of lawyers in Islamabad.
A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed upheld verdict of Islamabad High Court (IHC) regarding demolition of the chambers and ordered to vacate the football ground.
During the hearing, Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed remarked that on what basis the court should stop the demolition. “Lawyers have no claim on the football ground. Those who want to practice [law] should have their offices built somewhere else,” he remarked.
The apex court also rejected the request for more time until some alternative arrangements are made and directed Hamid Khan to vacate the ground.
Over the course of the hearing, a lawyer said that several courts are also built on the ground, to which the chief justice ordered that these courts should also been pulled down.
Earlier on last Friday, the Supreme Court while hearing the appeal against demolition of the illegal chambers of lawyers stressed that the court will not take its decision under any pressure. The CJP also reprimanded the lawyers over their misbehavior.
Justice Gulzar Ahmed said, “The court is well aware of the conduct of lawyers who pass inappropriate remarks and do something wrong whenever they get together. They should not compromise their dignity. Lawyers work against judiciary despite being a part of it.”
“There is no justification of construction of chambers on public land as they are considered personal property of lawyers. How can the bar association lease chambers? Who gave the authority for construction?”
Justice Ijazul Ahsan remarked that three-story chambers were built on a football ground. Justice Mazahar Naqvi said five-acre land has separately been allotted for lawyers’ chambers.
