AG misbehaves with judges in courtroom

ISLAMABAD: Attorney General Irfan Qadir's harsh words towards the judges of the Supreme Court (SC) created ruckus in the courtroom today, Geo News reported.

The SC was hearing identical petitions challenging NA Speaker Dr Fehmida Mirza's ruling not to pass on the disqualification reference against the prime minister to the election commission.

On June 06, the court issued notices to Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, Attorney General Irfan Qadir, National Assembly Speaker Dr Fehmida Mirza, the Election Commission and the Federation while hearing petitions.

A three-member bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, heard the petitions filed by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), advocate Azhar Chaudhry and others challenging the NA speaker's ruling of May 28 that there was no question of PM's disqualification.

Today, the AG, the top law officer of the government, ridiculed the judges and used abusive remarks against them. He continued interrupting the proceedings, while the bench kept reminding him of his position.

He kept on repeating that the judges fled soon after announcing PM Gilani's conviction verdict.

The situation deteriorated after Qadir used a vulgar gesture that provoked some lawyers and they tried to approach him but security was called in to control the situation.

At that moment, senior lawyers also interrupted and cooled the tempers.

As the hearing proceeded, the CJ remarked that everyone here has the right to speak and Aitzaz Ahsan and Irfan Qadir are their colleagues. 'Masses will compare us with some other people if we do not maintain decorum in the courtroom.'

The court rejected AG Qadir's plea to review June 06 order. Also, the prime minister, NA Speaker and Federation did not submit replies in the case despite SC order.

The AG said: "This is a very serious matter and we can not respond in vacuum and the bench should first review its order". On this, the CJ refused to do so.

Barrister Aitzaz appeared before the court on behalf of PM Gilani and asked the bench to allow him time till Wendesday to prepare but the CJ asked him to prepare for tomorrow.

A K Dogar, the counsel for petitioner Azhar Chaudhry, argued that the prime minister was disqualified because of the application of Article 63 (1) (g) of the Constitution.

"And with the insertion of the above said article the role of NA Speaker and Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) regarding disqualification of a member has ended, thus, she (the Speaker) has no authority to rule against the court order."

Hamid Khan, counsel for PTI Chairman Imran Khan, also appeared before the court and contended that the NA speaker's ruling was without jurisdiction and unlawful.

"The sentencing of PM Gilani stands final as no appeal was filed against the conviction," Hamid said.

Later, the hearing was adjourned till Friday.