Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: Supreme Court (SC) Thursday directed lawyers’ organizations not to take any action against the lawyer who prosecute the case of real estate tycoon Malik Riaz, as seeking legal assistance is a fundamental right.

Pleading before the three-judge bench headed by Justice Shakirullah Jan, Malik Riaz complained he could not find any lawyer to plead his case, saying, “Whoever I contact for the case, declines to take up my case.”

Justice Shakirullah Jan remarked the court respects the resolutions of the bar associations; however, the basic right to the fair trial cannot be stanched, addressing the bar associations that no resolution should be moved to ban any lawyer who plead the case of Malik Riaz.

Justice Shakir said solidarity should be expressed with the judiciary; however, trampling of the rights of the people will not be allowed under any circumstance.

The real estate magnate pleaded he is keeping mum; however, his opponents are not doing the same. On this, the bench remarked that restriction has been imposed on only contemptuous diction.

Justice Gulzar Ahmed wondered as to why he (Riaz) cannot snag a lawyer for the case given that even the worst man finds a lawyer for himself.

“Reymond Davis got a lawyer, but, he fails to find one for himself.”

Malik Riaz pleaded that some lawyers solicited three to four days’ time to take up his case.

Giving him more time to hire services of a lawyer, the court adjourned the hearing till June 28. SAMAA

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