Top legal officials and bar representatives on Friday launched a scathing criticism of the 26th and 27th constitutional amendments, arguing that the independence of the judiciary is being compromised and lawyers are being targeted. Addressing the media, senior advocate Hamid Khan said a free bar is essential for an independent judiciary, adding that only an independent judiciary could ensure the supremacy of the Constitution. He asserted that the lawyers did not share the thinking of what he called the "government group," and emphasized that legal professionals would continue to represent independent thought. He claimed cases had been registered against lawyers and arrests had been made, calling it an attempt to suppress dissent. Criticizing the idea of parallel judicial structures, he said that globally there was either a Constitutional Court or a Supreme Court, not both. According to him, the existing system in Pakistan, centered around the Supreme Court, is sufficient and efforts will be made to abolish the Constitutional Court. Hamid Khan also raised concerns over judicial appointments, alleging that young lawyers from privileged chambers were being elevated to the rank of judges at the Lahore High Court (LHC). He reiterated that licensing lawyers is the responsibility of the Bar Council, while suspensions are the domain of disciplinary commissions. Shafqat Chauhan, a member of the Bar Council of Pakistan, accused the government of making the judiciary system ineffective through constitutional amendments. He demanded the immediate withdrawal of the 26th and 27th Amendments, arguing that the creation of a constitutional court served political goals rather than institutional needs. He further claimed that basic human rights had been effectively suspended and questioned where citizens could now seek justice.
"If such illegal actions continue, public backlash is inevitable." he said. Echoing similar concerns, President of the Lahore High Court Bar Association Babar Murtaza termed the establishment of the Constitutional Court as "illegal". He requested that the petitions challenging the amendments be fixed for early hearing. He claimed that the country’s constitutional rights had been restricted. Lahore High Court Bar Association President Babar Murtaza said the Karachi Bar elections were traditionally held in December but had been repeatedly delayed until May. He described the situation "regrettable" and raised serious concerns about the credibility of the process. He claimed that fake votes were identified during the voting process and accused establishment elements of trying to ensure the success of a favored candidate.
