News
Friday, April 15, 2011
SC allows Kamal Azfar to withdraw from NRO case
* Asks AAG to seek approval for his representation in review petition
* Directs Islamabad IGP to probe life threats to AzfarStaff Report
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Thursday allowed Barrister Kamal Azfar to withdraw from the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) review case after he received life threats from a Sindh High Court (SHC) advocate.
The court also advised Additional Advocate General (AAG) KK Agha to seek instruction from the competent authority for his appearance in the case and apprise it on April 18.
In its order, the full court 17-judge bench also allowed the AAG that he would have the liberty to chose a friend of his choice to assist him during the proceedings.
The bench said that under Order 26 of Rule 6 of the Supreme Court Rules 1956, if a counsel was not available, then it was the duty of the advocate on record (AoR) to argue the case as laid down by the apex court in its decision PLD 1992 SC.
At the outset of proceedings, the AAG told the bench that he had no fresh instructions to argue the case, unless he spoke to the concerned authority, he would not be in a position to make a statement.
The CJP asked him to seek instruction from the prime minister by telling him that the court was expressing such a latitude.
The AAG said that time be granted to him to persuade the federation to engage him as a counsel in the case.
During the proceedings, the CJP said that last night he received Azfar’s fax which stated that “SHC lawyer Abu Bakar Zardari through Sardar Zulqarnain has intimidated him and his spouse by phone”.
The court, while expressing its displeasure, summoned Islamabad Inspector General of Police Wajid Durrani and directed him to investigate the matter and submit a report within three days. The court also directed IGPs of Islamabad and Sindh to continue providing adequate security to Azfar and his family.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk