Is the price of Double Graduate vote Fish&Mutton?

The election of Punjab Bar Council ended ln Punjab ,Pakistan up with the crackling of bullets and beating drums with Bhangra (dance).It was shocking ,some female advocate were seen on social media armed with riffle after announcement of results. However this time election was very thrilling, breathtaking and hair-raising. In PBC election, the degrees of more than 15 candidates who have been remained, Presidents, secretaries and members Punjab council were turned out to be fake. I tribute to Muhammad Qasim Khan Honorable Chief Justice, Lahore, High Court who decided the Writ Petition of Gulzar Butt Advocate etc. Against fake lawyers and his this action will prove to be a great milestone within the existing Bars Association  and Judicial System. It will be stingy if I don’t praise for Vukla Aam Party and its head Amir Shah Advocate who are pointing out fake degree holders and are fit in a chain which is part of judicial system. So far, the critics have been criticizing only the candidates either of National and Provincial assemblies or of Bars Association. But in this article I decided to shed light on the character of those Double Graduates who cast their votes at the price of Fish and Mutton to those candidates who are God fathers and Sicilian mafia in lawyer’s community.

The Criticism of voters does not mean that the candidates have been relieved of their responsibilities. In the National Election, if a voter casts his vote to a candidate by eating Palao (biryani) or receiving a bag of flour, he belongs to the class of that society who is illiterate and poor. It is great pity and sadness when a double graduate, counting himself at the top rank of society, feels arrogant and proud  of wearing BLACK COAT But  votes at the price of FISH & MUTTON to those candidates who are non-professional, looters inside and outside the courts ,instigating the young Lawyers for attacks on Hospitals, police, courts and justice seekers.

When these candidates are succeeded, then their destiny/goal is to become Judges and Law Officers. For these reasons, they fail to assist properly to the learned courts, to give genius and inventive judgments.

No doubt still there is a majority of those lawyers in Bars who are dedicated, devoted, enthusiastic and zealous but unfortunately on the day of election do not come forward to vote for their professional and having good character, candidates, resultantly Mafia and fake degree holders win the election.

Raja Javed Iqbal Advocate who was the Chairman Election Board in Punjab Bar Council Election 2020, apprised while sitting at Bar Room ,at the cup of tea that only nine hundreds (900 )seniors lawyers out of Eleven thousands (11000 ) cast their votes in this election then how a person can expect a good leadership in the Bars. It was also a great rumors that a few Judges of higher courts has been campaigning for some candidate who were their favorite.

    In the 1960s, a Major General was sitting in the Bar Room, the then President of Lahore Bar Association requested him that the sitting place in the bar is only for its members. Believe! I am writing this article with anguish, heartache and agony, as I have observed that nowadays non-members used to play cards, smoke cigarettes and used lawyer’s wash rooms while sitting in the Bar Rooms with learned Bar Members., The members of the Representative Body remain silent as they have to get votes.

 When I joined this profession in the year of 1992, we were too cowardly to sit in front row chairs kept in the court. I appeared before his Lordship Mr Justice Shehram Sarwar Ch last week and observed that all the white haired lawyers were standing while young advocates had occupied of front row chairs. It is also worth mentioning that I was laced up with reference books and Major Act in the basket, every members was looking at me with strange eyes. Suddenly, two things came into my mind: number one may be it is considered futile exercise to refer previous Judgments or the Honorable courts do not weigh their previous decisions. But soon I realized that the lawyers had quitted reading/study as I observed that every lawyer picked up Major Act from the basket kept by me at table when its case was called up. Major Act is very commonly Book used in the court but unfortunately we the lawyers do not bother except few to keep it while appearing in the courts.

 End of this article, it is huge demand by professional and seniors lawyers to  His Lordship Gulzar Ahmed, the Chief Justice of Pakistan while elevating lawyers as judges would see their past, professionalism and competence.

RANA BAKHTIAR

The writer is Advocate Supreme Court & Former Deputy Prosecutor General Punjab   

Email:info@bnblawfirm.co.uk