‘SCBA to continue efforts for independence of Judiciary’
Staff Report

ISLAMABAD—Acting President Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), Khawaja Naveed said the Association would work for the independence of the Judiciary, upholding of the rule of law and supremacy of the Parliament.
He said this on Friday while talking to mediamen after presiding over the first ever meeting of the Executive Committee of the Supreme Court Bar Association of Pakistan (SCBA) after the decision of the Supreme Court of Pakistan regarding elections of the Presidentship of SCBA. The meeting was held here in the Library Hall of the Association.
Eleven newly elected office bearers of the Association including Vice Presidents from Baluchistan, Punjab and NWFP beside others Additional Secretary and Finance Secretary also attended the meeting.
Regarding decisions of the meeting, he said that the committee appreciated the steps take by the previous body of the Association for the welfare of the members of the SCBA and pledged to continue such things in future in the larger interest of the lawyers community.
To a question regarding meeting of the SCBA with President of Pakistan, Khawaja Naveed made it clear that the body would meet President of Pakistan as per policy of the previous body and make request to release the remaining amount Rs. 200 million of the already pledged amount for the welfare of the lawyers community.
The Federal Government has released Rs. 100 million to SCBA as per promise made by the President and remaining amount is still awaited, the Acting President SCBA said.
Regarding participation of the newly elected office bearers in the first ever meeting, the President SCBA said that all the members of the Executive Committee except six members participated in the meeting.
Newly elected members who could not participate in the meeting have informed the Acting President that they were unable to attend the meeting due to their some pre-occupations including professional engagements, Khawaja Naveed said.
Regarding fate of the Welfare Trust established for the welfare of lawyers, he said, “We will continue the Trust.”
To a question about existing strength of judges in the superior judiciary, the Acting President said, “Existing strength of judges in the superior judiciary Supreme Court of Pakistan and High Courts is not enough to clear the pendency of the cases as well as newly filed cases due to litigation in manifold as compare to past.”
Responding to a question about meeting with Chief Justice of Pakistan, Khawaja Naveed said, “We have already made request to the Chief Justice for courtesy call and it will be materialised shortly.”