Lawyers in Lahore, Karachi and many other cities of the country boycotted courts on the appeal of Pakistan Bar Council today (Thursday) to protest over the issue of Lahore High Court Justice Ayesha Malik’s elevation to the Supreme Court, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
The apex court, however, heard cases as per its schedule as five benches of the SC took up cases at the principal seat.
On the other hand, the accountability courts have adjourned cases fixed for today.
The major cases included Toshakhana case against former president and PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari and former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani.
The Toshakhana case has been put off till January 20. Zardari, Gilani and others have been nominated in the reference. The court has also accepted one-day exemption from court appearance as requested by them.
Hearings of the Pink Residency and the Liaquat Qaimkhani references have also been adjourned till Jan 12 and Jan 20, respectively.
Chief Justice of Pakistan has summoned a meeting of the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) on January 6 (today) to once again mull the issue of Justice Ayesha Malik’s elevation to the apex court.
The Judicial Commission had deferred the issue in its earlier meeting which was held in September.
The Supreme Court has a strength of 17 judges and one seat is still lying vacant.
Supreme Court’s Justice Sardar Tariq Masood had told Judicial Commission meeting held in September that elevation of junior judges to the apex court compromised the independence of the judiciary.
Reporters Mumtaz Maali, Imanat Gishkori, Ehtisham Kiyani