Iftikhar Chauhdary looking for a legal consultancy firm

Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry’s critics fear potential conflicts of interest. PHOTO: FILE

ISLAMABAD:  Almost six months after leaving office, former chief justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry has decided to establish a ‘legal consultancy firm’ in the federal capital.

Sources familiar with the development said that the former chief justice vacated his official residence nestled in the heart of the judges’ colony and subsequently moved into a house in F-10/4, where he plans to establish a consultancy office.
Interestingly, a close associate of the former top judge revealed that the new house was rented for a monthly sum of Rs300,000. However, sources disclosed that the property is owned by a Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) leader hailing from Balochistan – Chaudhry’s hometown.
Iftikhar Chaudhry’s move is drawing a mixed reaction from members of the legal fraternity. Some lawyers claim that former Supreme Court judges are barred from appearing before the courts but there is no restriction on them establishing a consultancy firm.
Senior lawyer Tariq Mahmood said that there is a constitutional bar on the top court’s retired judges appearing before both the Supreme Court and the high courts.
On the other hand, Chaudhry’s critics expressed apprehension over the establishment of the firm as more than 100 judges were appointed during his term in office, which could create a conflict of interest in cases represented by former CJ’s legal firm.
A senior member of the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) confirmed that the former CJ’s practicing licence was revised by the apex body of the lawyers a few months ago.
Similarly, former PBC chairman Akhtar Hussain said that superior judges receive more than Rs 0.5 million in pension and post-retirement benefits every month hence they should avoid such endeavours.
Weighing in on the development, Sheikh Ahsan, a senior lawyer, rejected rumours about the upcoming law firm.
Ahsan, who met the former CJ two days ago, said that Chaudhry is still indecisive about his future plans.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 1^st, 2014.