Lawyers urge permanent Bar Council seat, implementation of Lawyers Protection Act, and expansion of judicial infrastructure
Islamabad: A delegation of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Bar Council, led by Vice Chairman Muhammad Tariq Bashir, called on Prime Minister Azad Jammu and Kashmir Faisal Mumtaz Rathore here on Friday and apprised him of the key challenges and professional issues faced by the legal community across the region.
During the meeting, the delegation emphasized the urgent need for the establishment of a permanent seat for the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Bar Council to ensure institutional stability and effective coordination. The lawyers also called for the effective implementation of the Lawyers Protection Act, stressing that the safety and security of members of the legal fraternity was essential for the smooth functioning of the justice system.
The delegation further demanded an increase in the grant-in-aid allocated to the Bar Council, citing rising administrative and professional expenses. They also highlighted the need for strengthening judicial infrastructure by establishing a judicial complex in Haveli district and Dhirkot tehsil, as well as setting up an additional district court in Barnala tehsil to address the growing caseload and improve access to justice for the public.
In addition, the Bar Council representatives raised concerns regarding the non-appointment of lawyers to various tribunals, the existing procedure for appointing government law officers, and issues related to fair representation of lawyers in legal and quasi-judicial bodies. They maintained that unresolved administrative and professional problems were affecting the efficiency of the legal system and undermining timely justice.
The delegation stressed that addressing these concerns would not only facilitate lawyers in the performance of their professional duties but would also significantly enhance the overall effectiveness of the justice delivery mechanism in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore listened attentively to the proposals and demands presented by the visiting delegation and assured them that the government would take serious and practical steps to resolve the legitimate issues of the legal community. He described lawyers as the backbone of the judicial system and said that the resolution of their problems was indispensable for ensuring speedy and effective justice.
The Prime Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthening judicial institutions and improving coordination with the legal fraternity in the larger public interest.
The delegation included Muhammad Nadeem Khan Advocate, Chaudhry Waseem Sabir Advocate, Ms Taazim Aziz Advocate, Shujaat Ali Rathore Advocate, Syed Asim Masood Gilani Advocate, Syed Ashfaq Hussain Kazmi Advocate, Haroon Riaz Mughal Advocate, Mir Tanveer Advocate, Saghir Haider Jaral Advocate, Ishtiaq Ahmed Raja Advocate and other members of the Bar Council. Minister Chaudhry Qasim Majeed and Director General Political Affairs Aamir Zeeshan Jaral were also present on the occasion.