News
Friday, June 22, 2012
Court gives seven more days to Malik Riaz to hire counsel* Real estate tycoon says no one willing to represent him
* Bar officials say no problems being posed for Malik Riaz
Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: Real estate tycoon Malik Riaz Hussain was given seven more days on Thursday to engage a lawyer in a contempt of court case against him.
Justice Shakirullah Jan, heading a three-member Supreme Court (SC) bench, adjourned the hearing until June 28 upon the undertaking by Malik Riaz that “if I will not be able to engage a counsel in seven days, the court may proceed against me in accordance with law”.
Ashraf Gujjar, petitioner in the case, opposed giving Malik Riaz a week. He said Malik Riaz had also made similar commitments during the last proceedings but failed to hire a lawyer, adding that these were delaying tactics.
Justice Shakirullah said, “If he [Malik Riaz] would create hindrance in administration of justice, we know how to deal with him.” Malik Riaz is facing contempt charges over a press conference wherein he scandalised and ridiculed the judiciary on the issue of Arsalan Iftikhar, son of the chief justice.
Malik Riaz told the court he could not arrange any lawyer to represent him in the case and, therefore, he should be granted 10 days for the purpose. He said no one was willing to represent him because of resolutions passed by Rawalpindi and Islamabad district bar associations. “Whoever I contacted to contest my case has refused to take up the task. Even my previous lawyers have abandoned me,” he said.
“Before adopting resolutions, bar counsels should ensure that their decisions are not hindering provision of justice,” the court observed.
Office-bearers of different bar associations told the court that no bar would cause problems for Malik Riaz in hiring a lawyer.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk