Legal organizations in Islamabad strongly against the recent judge transfers and consider them an attempt to divide the judiciary and an act of bad faith. In response, lawyers have announced a complete strike and will hold a nationwide convention at 1 p.m. 11 Tomorrow at the Court G-11.
The message was published during a joint press conference by officials of Islamabad wore Council, Islamabad High Court Bar Association and District Bar Association on Sunday.
By tackling the media, Islamabad said Council’s chairman of Aleem Abbasi, that all representatives of the district and the Supreme Court’s attorneys’ associations were present at the emergency meeting.
He condemned the recent transfers of three judges to Islamabad by the Ministry of Justice and declared that the Law Society unanimously rejects these appointments.
“These transfers are aimed at creating division within the judiciary and are driven by Malintent. Lawyers will strongly oppose this step, ”Abbasi emphasized.
He also announced a complete strike of lawyers in Islamabad, where he said no lawyer would appear in any court tomorrow. He appealed to lawyers throughout Pakistan as well as provincial bar councils to participate in the protest in solidarity.
“This question affects the entire legal community in Pakistan. We urge all bar associations and advice across the country to support our cause, ”he urged.
He also condemned the upcoming meeting of the Judge Commission, which was scheduled for February 10, and called it an act of poor intention. Abbasi demanded that all petitions against the 26th constitutional amendment be heard on an urgent basis.
“The full bench of the Supreme Court must first decide constitutional changes before further procedures. The meeting 10 February must be canceled immediately as it is politically motivated. This is not just a fight for lawyers; It is a struggle for the rule of law and the independence of the court in the country, ”he claimed.
“The recent legal appointments show clear political bias. In Sindh High Court, members of a particular political party have been appointed, and similar actions are expected in Lahore High Court, ”he claimed.
President of Islamabad High Court Bar Association, Riasat Ali Azadsaid that the decision to strike and hold a convention was unanimous. He questioned why a judge ranked 15. In the Lahore High Court was transferred, while a judge ranked 12. In Balochistan was also moved.
“Islamabad High Court is treated as a dumping place for judges. How many agreements have been made from Islamabad to provincial high courts? The only ‘crime’ at Islamabad High Court is its obligation to legal independence, ”he noted.
Azad also claimed that Islamabad High Court was under siege, with efforts to undermine its credibility. “The judges here make constitutional and legal decisions, yet attempts are made to dampen the judiciary,” he said. He urged the public to stand with the legal community in their protest.
Under the Convention, lawyers will also hold a protestrally. Azad criticized attempts to control various institutions, including the media through the PECA Act, and warned that the judiciary was now the next goal.
“The judiciary must remain independent. The senior-most judge should be appointed Chief Justice, as stated in the 26th amendment. The continued politically motivated transfers and agreements must stop, ”he demanded.
District Bar Association President Naeem Ali Gujar repeated similar concerns and argued that Islamabad’s legal community had historically played a key role in defending constitutional integrity. He criticized the recent transfers and questioned their necessity and justice.
“We are not against any individual judge, but we are responsible for the judiciary and the constitution. The government and the opposition must not undermine the justice system, ”said Naeem Ali.
