Governor of Punjab Meets with Islamabad Bar High Court and District Court Delegation

Islamabad, The Gulf Observer: On 2nd Oct, 2024, the Governor of Punjab met with the Islamabad Bar Association and the High Court Bar Association.The meeting was led by Shakeel Abbasi, President of the Islamabad Bar Association, Hassan Javed Shorash General Secretary Islamabad Bar Association ,Shafqat Abbas Tarar Secretary of the High Court Bar Association, Zaildar Ahsan Shah Chairman International Committee Islamabad High Court, Dr Syed Ameer Vice President Islamabad bar , Hasham Ali khan Joint Secretary Islamabad Bar , Afshan Syed Additional Secretary, Tabinda Zahra Library Secretary , Samreen Abbas Auditor . Executive members , Ali khan , Basharat Hussain Shah, Syed Mazhar Hussain Shah , Sanaullah Bukti , Chaudhary Zulqarnain , Rana Ali Raza Library Secretary Islamabad High Court.

The meeting, held at the Governor’s Annexe in Rawalpindi, a delegation of about 40 lawyers. This meeting was arranged by Mr. Zaildar Ahsan Shah Chairman International Committee Islamabad High Court. The session began with the first note presented by Mr. Shakeel Abbasi, who expressed gratitude to the Governor of Punjab for taking the time to meet with the delegation. He introduced all the members, explaining that the delegation represented individuals from various political parties.

Mr. Shakeel Abbasi congratulated the Governor on his recent appointment and mentioned that his selection as Governor brings pride and honor to all. He highlighted that during their time together, they had collaborated on numerous significant matters, especially while working alongside the Pakistan People’s Party, as Mr. Shakeel Abbasi had presided over legal matters in partnership with the Governor in his former capacity.

Mr. Shakeel Abbasi expressed his desire for a strong, productive relationship between the Bar and the Governor’s office. He emphasized the importance of fostering mutual understanding and collaboration moving forward, ensuring both the legal community and the Governor’s office work closely together for the betterment of Pakistan. Mr. Shakeel Abbasi further elaborated on the issues faced by the legal fraternity. He acknowledged the challenges lawyers are currently encountering and highlighted the problems that the legal community as a whole is grappling with. Mr. Shakeel Abbasi stressed the importance of addressing these concerns and called for greater attention to the difficulties facing the legal profession in Pakistan and especially in Islamabad.

Mr. Shafqat Abbas Tarar addressed the gathering. He introduced all cabinet members to the Governor of Punjab. Mr. Tarar outlined the ongoing efforts of the Bar, emphasizing the pivotal role it plays in advocating for the welfare of lawyers and upholding the rule of law. He highlighted the numerous sacrifices made by the legal community in these endeavors Additionally, Mr. Tarar shared plans to have the Governor address the High Court Bar, further strengthening ties between the Governor’s office and the legal fraternity. Mr. Shafqat Abbas Tarar expanded on these sentiments, specifically addressing the issues that both the High Court Bar and the legal fraternity as a whole are dealing with. He noted the growing legal challenges within the country and highlighted that the High Court Bar is actively playing its role in identifying, framing, and addressing these matters. Whether it is the legal complexities emerging in Pakistan or the issues under Islamabad’s jurisdiction, the Bar is making significant efforts to resolve them.

Furthermore, Mr. Shafqat Tarar discussed how the High Court Bar and District Bar are working to address the challenges faced by their members, highlighting the distinction between the broader legal issues and the specific problems encountered by the legal community. Mr. Tarar underlined that discussions are ongoing regarding lawyers’ chambers, welfare, and necessary facilities, with negotiations underway with the government. He requested the Governor’s support in ensuring that lawyers receive the best possible outcomes in these negotiations. Mr. Tarar made it clear that the needs of the High Court Bar and District Bar members were being addressed separately but with equal importance.

During the discussion, the delegation briefed the Governor on the performance of lawyers in Islamabad, their professionalism, and the role they play in promoting the rule of law. They explained how court procedures were being handled efficiently in Islamabad and noted that lawyers from all political backgrounds, including PTI, PML-N, and PPP were united in this effort. Mr. Shakeel Abbasi expressed gratitude to the Governor for his support and introduced members of the district bar to him.

Zaildar Ahsan Shah, stand-in as a bridge between the Islamabad Bar and the Governor House, welcomed the delegation and thanked the Governor for his time and commitment to the Bar.

Zaildar Ahsan Shah, speaking on behalf of the Governor’s Office, expressed his gratitude to all the lawyers for attending the meeting at the Governor’s Annex. He thanked the Governor of Punjab for dedicating time to meet with representatives from Legal Fraternity. Mr. Zaildar Ahsan Shah paid tribute to the Islamabad Bar, noting its pivotal role in every significant movement for justice in Pakistan. He highlighted that the Islamabad Bar has always been at the forefront when the nation has needed it most and that its members are highly professional and respected lawyers.

Mr. Zaildar Ahsan Shah also recalled the historic contributions of the Islamabad Bar, particularly in the Lawyers’ Movement, where its members played a crucial role. He shared that several prominent leaders had addressed the Islamabad Bar in the past, and when the Governor of Punjab visits, it would be yet another historic moment. He emphasized his ongoing efforts to address the legal and social issues across Punjab by meeting with different stakeholders and managing various challenges.

Zaildar Ahsan Shah also highlighted the diverse representation within the Islamabad Bar, with members from all provinces, including Sindh, Balochistan, KPK, Punjab and Gilgit. He underlined the critical role Islamabad lawyers have historically played in restoring Pakistan’s constitution, safeguarding human rights, and supporting the rule of law. He assured the Governor that when he visits the Islamabad Bar, he would receive a historic welcome.

Governor of Punjab Sardar Saleem Haider Khan acknowledged the importance of the legal fraternity in Pakistan, stating that the nation’s problems cannot be resolved without the active involvement of its lawyers. He fully supports the legal community and is committed to assisting them in addressing their concerns. He added that the legal fraternity is a cornerstone of Pakistan’s progress, reminding everyone that Pakistan was built by lawyers, led by none other than Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, himself a lawyer.

Governor of Punjab acknowledged the role of the legal community and expressed his support for the Bar, pledging to facilitate and support the lawyers in any way possible. He also praised their role in Pakistan’s progress, stating that without the legal fraternity, it is difficult to imagine the country’s success. The Governor of Punjab graciously accepted the invitation to address the Islamabad Bar and assured the attendees that he would soon take meaningful steps to further strengthen the relationship between the Governor’s office and the legal fraternity.