Gilgit (C.R Akbar): Oath taking ceremony of the newly elected officials of Supreme Appellate Court Bar Association, Gilgit-Baltistan took place at its office in Gilgit city on Monday.
Chief Election Commissioner, Imran Hussain advocate administered the oath to the newly elected president, Malik Shafqat Wali Khan advocate who in turn administered the oath to his newly elected team.
The other officials of the bar association included Shaukat Ali Khan (deputy president), Nisar Hussain advocate (Vice president Baltistan Division), Sher Alam advocate (vice president Diamir), Muhammad Jan advocate (vice president Ghizer), Mr. Ali Dad, Zakaria Ahmad (joint secretary), Muhammad Riaz (secretary finance) and Imran Hussain (secretary information).
On this occasion, the executive committee for the Supreme Court Bar Association was also announced. The new members of the executive committee included Muhammad Hussain (Chairman), Muhammad Essa advocate, Sher Madad advocate, Mehfoozul Haq advocate, Wazir Farman advocate and Muhammad Aslam advocate as members of the committee.
Addressing the ceremony, the newly elected president Malik Shafqat Wali Khan demanded the appointment of local judges on a permanent basis instead of induction from outside GB. He questioned, if judges can be appointed in GB from outside, and why not the judges of GB should also be appointed in the rest parts of Pakistan. He emphasized on an end to the discriminatory and negative connotation that were are not capable of it.
The legal fraternity in Gilgit-Baltistan has been raising their voice for the rights but to no avail. Their concerns always fell on the deaf ears. Now lawyers feel hoodwinked by the concerned authorities. The incumbent government failed to benefit people even as per legal provisions given in the self-governance ordinance, said Malik Shafqat.
Lamenting unoccupied vacancy of chairman and members of service tribunal for the last three years, he also demanded the appointment of lawyers as chairman and members of service tribunal which are lying vacant for the last three years.
He demanded the immediate appointment of the chairman and members of the tribunal service. he also demanded to appoint a sufficient number of local people in sub-courts, election tribunals, NAB courts, civil courts, and all trial courts across GB. This would help in putting an end to the feelings of deprivation and injustice among local people.
The oath taking ceremony was attended by important figures of legal fraternity of Gilgit-Baltistan,
