Busy day in Capital – lawyers to take on government and top judicial body on judges appointment

By Zain Khan Watozai

Islamabad witnessed a tense day as lawyers staged a protest outside the Supreme Court, clashing with police over the PECA Act, the 26th Constitutional Amendment, and the controversial transfer of judges from other provinces to the Islamabad High Court. The protest erupted over concerns that these judicial transfers could alter the seniority of judges, ultimately allowing the government to install a chief justice of its choice.

Amid the demonstration, lawyers confronted the newly transferred DIG Security, leading to physical altercations that further escalated tensions. In response to the mounting pressure, the law minister made a vague statement, suggesting that changes to the legislation could be considered after consulting all stakeholders but refraining from giving a definitive stance on the issue.

Inside the Supreme Court, as protests raged outside, Chief Justice of Pakistan was presiding over a Supreme Judicial Council meeting. However, the session faced internal resistance, with Senior Puisne Judge Justice Mansoor Ali Shah opposing the meeting and urging the chief justice to postpone it until the matters of the 26th Amendment and judicial transfers were resolved. Justice Muneeb Akhtar endorsed this stance, adding to the dissent.

PTI leaders Barrister Gohar and Ali Zafar, both members of the Supreme Judicial Council, sided with the protesting lawyers and pushed for the session to be postponed. When their request was denied, they staged a walkout, despite attempts by another judge to convince them to stay. Following their exit, they held a press conference expressing solidarity with the lawyers and condemning the government’s actions.

This unrest stems from the government’s controversial legislative moves, which have triggered widespread opposition from legal circles. With protests intensifying and divisions deepening within the judiciary, all eyes are now on the government to see whether it will backtrack on its decisions or continue to push through its judicial restructuring agenda.