The legal organizations of Islamabad firmly opposed the recent transfers of the judges, which considered them an attempt to divide the judiciary and an act of bad faith. In response, lawyers announced a complete strike and will hold a national convention at 11 am tomorrow before the G-11 district court.
The announcement was made at a joint press conference by officials of the Islamabad bar, Islamabad High Court Bar Association and the District Bar Association on Sunday.
Addressing the media, the chairman of the Islamabad bar council, Advocate Aleem Abbasi, said that all representatives of district and high courts associations were present at the emergency meeting.
He sentenced recent transfers of three judges to Islamabad by the Law Ministry, declaring that the lawyer’s community unanimously rejects these appointments.
“These transfers aim to create a division within the judiciary and are motivated by clever. Lawyers will firmly oppose this decision, ”said Abbasi.
He also announced a complete strike by Islamabad lawyers, declaring that no lawyer would appear in any courts tomorrow. He called on the lawyers in Pakistan, as well as the provincial councils of the bar, to join the demonstration in solidarity.
“This question affects the entire legal community in Pakistan. We invite all associations and bars advice across the country to support our cause, ”he urged.
He also sentenced the next meeting of the judicial committee scheduled for February 10, calling for this an act of poor intention. Abbasi demanded that all petitions against the 26th constitutional amendment be heard urgently.
“The complete bench of the Supreme Court must first reign over constitutional amendments before any other procedure. The February 10 meeting should be immediately canceled because it is politically motivated. It is not only a battle for lawyers; It is a struggle for the rule of law and judicial independence in the country, “he said.
“Recent judicial appointments show clear political prejudices. At the High Court of the Sindh, members of a particular political party have been appointed and similar actions are expected before the High Court of Lahore, “he said.
President of the association of the bar of the High Court of Islamabad, Riasat Ali Azadsaid the decision to hit and keep an agreement was unanimous. He asked why a judge ranked 15th with the High Court of Lahore under transfer, while a judge classified 12th in Balutchistan was also moved.
“The High Court of Islamabad is treated as a dumping ground for judges. How many appointments have been made from Islamabad to provincial high lessons? The only “crime” of the High Court of Islamabad is his commitment to judicial independence, “he noted.
Azad also said that the High Court of Islamabad was besieged, the efforts in progress to undermine its credibility. “The judges here make constitutional and legal decisions, but attempts are made to control the judiciary,” he said. He called on the public to stand with the legal community in their event.
Following the Convention, lawyers will also organize a protest rally. Azad criticized attempts to control various institutions, including the media through the PECA law, and warned that the judicial power was now the next target.
“The judiciary must remain independent. The principal judge should be appointed chief judge, as indicated in the 26th amendment. Transfers and nominations with continuous political motivation must stop, “he demanded.
The president of the district association, Naeem Ali Gujar, echoes similar concerns, arguing that the Islamabad legal community had historically played a key role in the defense of constitutional integrity. He criticized recent transfers, questioning their necessity and fairness.
“We are not against an individual judge, but we defend the judiciary and the Constitution. The government and the opposition should not undermine the legal system, “said Naeem Ali.
