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Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Kayani’s movement plan hindering lawyers’ securityBy Hasnaat Malik
ISLAMABAD: During the hearing of suo motu case regarding the killing and brutal torture of several lawyers in the twin cities after the arrest of Pervez Musharraf, lawyers of the Rawalpindi Bar Association on Tuesday claimed before the Supreme Court that the daily route for the secure movement of Army Chief Ashfaq Pervez Kayani hindered their free movement and security.
Rawalpindi Bar Association President Taufiq Asif requested the court to intervene in the implementation of the standing operating procedures (SOP), which was developed after a detailed discussion sometimes in April in the chambers of the Rawalpindi sessions judge between the representatives of the local bar association and the station commander who also happens to be the president of the Rawalpindi Cantonment Board. The counsel also contended that without discussing and implementing the SOP, security plan for the lawyers could not be possible.
A three-member bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, however, refused to intervene in this matter, saying that neither the court nor the Rawalpindi police had anything to do with an independent accord since both were not involved in it. The court observed that it would not be right to impose a private agreement through the apex court and suggested the lawyers should involve police and the subordinate judiciary’s judge and again hold a meeting with the authorities concerned for the execution of the SOP.
It must be noted that around seven cases of lawyers being chased and tortured by unidentified persons have been reported to police. Taufiq Asif expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of police regarding the arrest of those involved in the torture of lawyers. He alleged that this was a case of harassment but the police had wrongly diverted the investigation. The counsel requested the bench issue a notice to interior secretary because he is in the position to deal with the security agencies in this case.
On the other hand, Islamabad police Additional Inspector General Tahir Alam stated that lawyers were accusing state institutions without providing evidence. He said that police could not proceed against agencies without proofs. The capital city police officer also told the bench that if these institutions were really involved in torturing lawyers they would not leave any evidence. He revealed that one affected lawyer, Basharatullah, had appeared on behalf of terrorists in the courts.
Regarding the killing of FIA prosecutor Chaudhry Zulfiqar, the AIG told the court that prime accused in the case, Abdullah Umar, was sent to jail but co-accused Tanvir had not been arrested. Meanwhile, about the security of Rawalpindi Bar Association, Rawalpindi city police officer submitted the security plan for the lawyers to the bench. Regarding the implementation of the security plan, the bench observed that funds would be required to install CCTV cameras and walk-through gates to provide foolproof security to the lawyers; therefore, it summoned Rawalpindi DCO on the next hearing. The hearing of the case has been adjourned for an indefinite period.Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk