The lawyers Khawaja Harris and Naeem Haider Panjutha, who are defending the PTI leader, have complained of harassment from a judge, and the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) filed an impassioned appeal to the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) on Wednesday, demanding prompt attention to the matter.
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), which was responsible for convicting Imran Khan in the Toshakhana reference case, had previously served notices on them as part of an investigation into alleged Facebook statements attributed to the trial judge Humayun Dilawar.
Harris did not appear before the FIA’s cybercrime division to record his statement before Wednesday’s end of business. Unfortunately for the FIA, Panjutha had already given his statement on Tuesday.
SCBA President Barrister Abid Zuberi and Secretary Muqtedir Akhtar Shabbir released a statement in which they harshly criticized the “unlawful” summonses as being in violation of the law and the Constitution and called for their immediate revocation. The statement called these notices “blatant harassment,” saying they were meant to stop lawyers from doing their jobs without fear of retaliation.
The SCBA emphasized that Panjutha had been detained by the FIA for more than eight hours, calling his treatment there “unlawful detention.” Zuberi stressed the importance of including Judge Dilawar in any investigation, arguing that without him, the investigation would be insufficient and prejudiced. He emphasized that the judge himself should have been the subject of the initial interrogation.
The SCBA has also spoken out strongly against the filing of a “false FIR” against PTI’s chief legal adviser and Supreme Court lawyer Sher Afzal Khan Marwat. The statement condemned these criminal acts without reservation and offered unwavering backing to the legal community.
The recent “abduction” of Harris’s clerk was brought up by Zuberi, who condemned it as a breach of human rights and the rule of law. He emphasized the damage done to the foundation of the judicial system, the values of justice and fair play.
The SCBA has made it clear that they are dedicated to maintaining the rule of law and ensuring that everyone’s rights are protected. The legal profession was confirmed as one that would not be intimidated by such “deplorable tactics.”
In an appeal to the CJP, Zuberi stated that the SCBA will be challenging the alleged “arbitrary and discriminatory actions” in court. The Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) has joined the chorus of censure, reiterating the need of keeping politics out of the legal community.
Both groups, in a joint statement, stressed the significance of a legal process free from intimidation or undue influence and reaffirmed their dedication to protecting the rule of law in Pakistan.
