SC bars LEAs from arresting PTI chief in lawyer murder

ISLAMABAD: Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday barred law enforcement authorities (LEAs) from arresting the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief in lawyer Abdul Razzaq Shar murder case.

A three-member bench headed by Justice Yahya Afridi including Justice Mazahar Akbar Naqvi and Justice Hassan Azhar Rizvi was hearing the plea of the former prime minister, currently incarcerated in Attock jail following his conviction in the Toshakhana case by a trial court.

During the hearing, PTI chief’s counsel Latif Khosa said his client has been arrested in another case and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) is now summoning different lawyers representing him.

On this, Justice Yahya Afridi intervened, asking Khosa to focus only on the lawyer murder case.

Raising objection to the composition of bench, Amanullah Kanrani, appearing on behalf of the complainant, said, Justice Mazahar Naqvi had taken notice of the elections in the Lahore CPO Ghulam Mehmood Dogar case, while there is a case pending against Justice Hasan Azhar Rizvi in the Sindh High Court (SHC).

This led to a war of words between Kanrani and members of the bench, Justice Naqvi and Justice Rizvi.

Justice Hasan Azhar Rizvi said, “How can you vilify the judges?” Which case is pending against me in Sindh High Court?, asked Justice Rizvi. “Give evidence, or face contempt of court notice.”

Addressing Kanrani over his remarks, Justice Naqvi said, “Who gave you permission to talk about us in this manner?”

Justice Afridi told Kanrani that if he had any objections, it would have been appropriate to submit those in writing instead of hurling accusations on the rostrum.

“You have to answer for the charges you have made, we are not weak”, said Justice Naqvi, demanding an unconditional apology from the complainant’s counsel.

Lawyer Amanullah Kanrani folded his hands as a gesture of apology, adding, “If you become a judge, it is fine, but if you want to become a party, get off the seat of justice”.

Justice Naqvi refused to accept the apology while Justice Rizvi said Kanrani would have to take back his allegations before that.

Meanwhile, Justice Yahya Afridi directed lawyer Amanullah Kanrani to submit a written apology and adjourned the hearing till August 24.

Background

On June 15, a division bench of the Balochistan High Court comprising Chief Justice Naeem Afghan and Justice Aamir Nawaz Rana dismissed the PTI chief’s plea to quash a First Information Report (FIR) registered against him on the complaint of the slain lawyer’s son.

The FIR named PTI chief a suspect in the assassination of Shar.

On June 6, the senior lawyer was shot dead by unidentified assailants near Quetta’s Alamo Chowk on Airport Road. Shar sustained 15 bullet injuries and died on the scene, according to the police.

Two days following the incident, PTI chief was booked by the police in the case based on a complaint filed by the lawyer’s son.

Shar had filed a petition before BHC against the former prime minister seeking proceedings under Article 6 of the Constitution, pertaining to charges of high treason.

Read more: Lawyer murder case: SC summons PTI chairman on July 24