SAHIWAL (News Reporter): Commissioner Sahiwal Division, Dr. Asif Tufail, has stated that the concepts of reform and development are impossible in any society without adherence to and respect for the law. He emphasized that all segments of society, particularly the legal community, must make the supremacy of law their top priority to build an organized society.
He expressed these views during a meeting at his office with a delegation comprising members of the Punjab Bar Council and Bar Presidents from various districts within the Sahiwal Division.
Meeting Participants
The high-level consultative meeting included the following representatives:
Punjab Bar Council Members: Meher Qutubuddin Tariq, Malik Muhammad Hussain Sagla, Rao Muhammad Ashraf, Chaudhry Amjad Pervez, and Mian Murad Bhatti.
Bar Presidents: Malik Saeed Ahmed Sagla (Sahiwal Bar), Farooq Ashraf Sangooka (Okara Bar), Rana Amjad Ilyas (Pakpattan Bar), Mian Muhammad Ahmed Wattoo (Depalpur Bar), and Rana Abid Nazir (Arifwala Bar).
Government Priorities and Legal Reforms
Dr. Asif Tufail noted that the Punjab government is committed to providing affordable and speedy justice to citizens at their doorstep. To achieve this, modern legal reforms are being introduced across all sectors.
“The administration and lawyers are two wheels of the same carriage,” the Commissioner remarked. “The common goal for both is to resolve the issues faced by litigants and ensure the provision of justice.”
Lawyers’ Concerns and Demands
During the meeting, the legal representatives expressed serious concerns regarding recent changes in revenue matters. The delegation presented the following key demands:
Land Partition Cases: They requested the withdrawal of the decision to abolish the Commissioner’s authority to hear appeals in land partition cases.
Opposition to E-Filing: The delegation rejected the new e-filing system for cases, demanding its immediate termination.
Commissioner’s Assurance
Commissioner Sahiwal listened attentively to the lawyers’ grievances and assured them that their objections regarding revenue reforms would be conveyed to the relevant provincial authorities. He also pledged to resolve other local issues faced by the legal fraternity on a priority basis.