ISLAMABAD - The Islamabad High Court Bar Association yesterday adopted a resolution demanding resignation of IHC Chief Justice Muhammad Anwar Khan Kasi and disposal of the reference against him pending before the Supreme Judicial Council.
The IHCBA passed this resolution at a meeting held with Secretary-General Waqas Malik in the chair. Waqas Malik, addressing the meeting, told the participants that 505 lawyers of the IHCBA had signed the resolution moved against the IHC chief justice.
It was stated in the resolution that Justice Iqbal Hameedur Rehman had resigned from the Supreme Court after the apex court’s verdict against illegal appointments made by him and the IHC CJ in the Islamabad High Court. The resolution said there was no justification for Justice Kasi to stay as the chief justice of the IHC after resignation of Justice Iqbal Hameedur Rehman. The resolution stated the IHC chief justice should tender his resignation voluntarily.
The members of the bar also addressed the meeting and demanded resignation of Justice Kasi. The lawyers also chanted slogans against him.
Meanwhile, Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui reached the venue of the bar meeting and, addressing the lawyers, said he had not come here to defend anyone. However, he urged the lawyers not to set wrong traditions and precedents.
Some lawyers objected to his speech, saying a judge could not address the general body meeting of the bar. Justice Siddiqui said he should be allowed to speak and ask the lawyers to have the courage to listen to others as well.
He said the IHC CJ had the right to defend himself in the reference filed by the lawyers against him before the Supreme Judicial Council. Let the SJC decide whether Justice Kasi was guilty or not, he pleaded.
Justice Siddqui urged the lawyers to work for the institution, terming the resignation demand a conspiracy against the IHC.
Justice Waqas Malik said they did not accept dictation of any judge. “We are working against corruption and will definitely raise voice if any judge is found involved in it,” he said.
Meanwhile, some lawyers started scuffling with one another and the bar meeting started presenting an ugly view.
At the end of the meeting, the IHCBA passed the resolution unanimously, demanding resignation of IHC Chief Justice Muhammad Anwar Khan Kasi.
