Karachi: PCO judges hastily retire to chambers as lawyers break out

[LRE]

PCO judges hastily retire to chambers as lawyers break out

KARACHI: Judges hearing cases at the Sindh High Court rose from their chairs and hurried to their chambers as soon as lawyers shouting slogans started to spill into the corridors Monday after Musharraf’s announcement.

The lawyers were mostly shouting against the judges who took oath after Nov 02 under PCO I of 2007. As soon as they came onto the first floor of the main SHC building, Justice Ali Sain Dino Metlo and Justice Dr Rana Shamim rose from their benches without waiting for their Hawaldars, who adjust or remove their chairs in a centuries-old British tradition. Justice Yasmeen Abbasey also retired to her chambers after she heard the noise. “No to PCO judges” shouted the lawyers who were just a few dozen in number but exceedingly loud. “Restore the non-PCO judges”, “Let the new judiciary decide the fate of the PCO judges” came the shouts that could be heard all the way into the chambers.

If this demand is met by the ruling coalition, it would mean a substantial change in the judiciary of Pakistan as in case of the SHC alone, it would mean the restoration of 13 judges who refused to take oath under PCO I of 2007. It would also mean the new appointment of 15 judges as the SHC has a total sanctioned strength of 28.

There will be seven of eight judges in the Supreme Court of Pakistan and the remaining vacancies would have to be filled by new judges. All this will happen if the restored superior judiciary decides to settle the matter according to the judgment given by the seven-member bench which passed on Nov 02 an order restraining all brother judges from taking oath under the PCO, said SHCBA Honorary Secretary Shaikh Munir-ur-Rahman. “The new judicial set-up shall have judges known for their honesty, professional excellence and courage to say no to rulers so that the people of Pakistan get justice.” staff report

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp...008_pg12_2