The Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) on Tuesday urged the superior judiciary to order the resumption of normal functioning of the courts across Pakistan.
In a statement, PBC Vice-Chairman Abid Saqi appreciated Monday’s SC order regarding the opening of shopping malls.
“Yesterday’s order passed by the Supreme Court setting aside the government decision to close markets and business centres and requiring the federal as well as provincial governments to allow the immediate opening of all the shops, markets and shopping malls throughout the week without any restriction of timing is appreciable as that may ensure the earning of livelihood by trading class and the workforce of hundreds and thousands of people attached therewith,” he stated.
Saqi said that in line with the spirit of the court’s order, it is desirable that all the courts in the country should start their normal functioning and resume hearings of normal and routine cases also.
“The Chief Justice of Pakistan and Chief Justices of all the High Courts are, therefore, requested to pass appropriate orders for the immediate reopening of all the courts at different levels to start normal functioning and hearing of all the routine cases for safeguarding the valuable rights and interests of litigants which would also strengthen the system of dispensation of justice,” the statement added.
Earlier in the day, Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Khalid Jawed Khan told the SC that people were not taking the Covid-19 threat seriously after the apex court’s remarks, making it difficult for the administration to take measures to curb the deadly pathogen.
Advocate General Sindh endorsed the opinion saying the lockdown is no more effective as shops have been allowed to open.
However, Chief Justice of Pakistan Gulzar Ahmed stated that this was not owing to the apex court’s remarks but because police inspectors were permitting businesses to reopen after receiving bribes.
