UK LAWYERS WELCOME LHC DECISON TO REVERSE THE ‘HELICOPTER CASE’ JUDGEMENT
Association of Pakistani Lawyers, a team of Pakistani origin lawyers, Solicitors, Barristers, Judges in UK has welcomed the Division Bench of Lahore High Court (LHC) decision which has acquitted PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif in helicopter case. A two-member bench of LHC consists of Justice Tariq Shamim and Justice Saeed Ijaz declared accountability court’s verdict null and void where earlier Nawaz Sharif was sentenced 14 years of imprisonment, 21 years disqualification and Rs.20 million by accountability court.
APL has declared first the restoration of Shahbaz Sharif as Chief Minister Punjab as well as his Govt in the largest Province of Pakistan, and later their eligibility to stand election and now the acquittal in ‘helicopter case’ is a victory of millions of people who prayed for the return of their beloved national leaders. APL confirmed that the Association in their statement of 25 Feb 09 condemned any attempts to keep twice Premier Nawaz Sahrif and his brother Shahbaz Sharif out of the parliament and had shown serious reservation(s) over the Supreme Court ruling and declared it a sad day for democratic drive in Pakistan. APL executive Committee hoped that a verdict in ‘plane high jacking’ case is identical and prayed that honourable Supreme court reviews the death sentence case of Zulfiqar Ali Bhuttoo, Zafar Ali Shah & Iqbal Tikka Khan Case to review the ‘law of necessity’ and ultra vires appointment of Higher Court judges in violation of SC 7 member order under PCO and above all order for an immediate trial under Article 6 for the imposition of mini martial law on 3 November 2007.
APL confirmed today in their statement that it feels that implementation on ‘Charter of Democracy’ is the lone key for the survival of political process, Federation and viable military free civil democracy in Pakistan at this moment . APL urged that it is the need of the time that politicians after experiencing 3 martial laws expanding over four decades must learn a lesson from it and must work jointly for rule of law, justice, democracy and for the state of ‘Pakistan’ on the principle of live and let live in the country and initiate joint collaboration on ‘COD’ on emergency basis.
If popular politicians from major political parties are kept out of Parliament, then ultimately decisions are made on streets which will be tragedy for the democratic struggle and above all for the State of Pakistan which is in a volatile situation at the moment due to ongoing ‘war on terror’ on its rear border , alarming drone attacks and situation in neighbouring Afghanistan, and Pakistan’s poverty ridden people and weaker institution(s) which mistakenly is portrayed a top 10 failed states list. APL hopes that leaders of the day realises the challenges faced by the nation and rather than removing Quaid’s pictures, act upon his advice and follow ‘unity, faith and discipline’ in their individual and national life. We are still far from translating his real aim to make Pakistan ‘a dream come true’ country.
Amjad Malik,
Chair Association of Pakistani Lawyers (UK)
29 June 2009
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