References against six PCO judges sent to SJC

ISLAMABAD - President Asif Ali Zardari Thursday forwarded references against six superior courts judges who took oath under the Provisional Constitutional Order (PCO) to the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) on the advice of the Prime Minister of Pakistan.
Spokesperson of the President Farhatullah Babar informed TheNation that the President forwarded the references on the recommendation of Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani. The references were also forwarded in pursuance of decision of a 14-member larger bench of the apex court on July 31, 2009, the Public Relation Officer of the SC informed TheNation.
Giving details to this scribe, the spokesperson of the President said that the references against Justice Syed Shabbar Raza, Justice Hamid Ali Shah, Justice Hasnat Ahmed Khan and Justice Syed Sajjad Hussain Shah of Lahore High Court have been sent to the SJC here Thursday. References against Justice Yasmin Abbasy of Sindh High Court and Justice Jehanzib Rahim of Peshawar High Court were also sent accordingly, he added.
To enquire about the legal position of above matter, this correspondent contacted Barrister Ahmed Raza Qasuri, who said that the Supreme Court July 31 verdict also affected these judges. These judges were performing their duties in the superior courts during those days but were not included in any bench recently, he explained.
He elaborated that Article 209 of the Constitution gives provisions for the removal of judges, which would be applied during proceedings against these judges during SJCs proceedings.