On April 20, 2025, the Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) Bar Council demanded merit-based appointments of lawyers to vacant positions in the GB Supreme Appellate Court, rejecting the practice of appointing retired judges.
The GB Bar Council extended its strike until April 26, citing the government’s failure to address lawyers’ demands.
During a meeting in Gilgit, chaired by the council’s vice chairman, a resolution was passed to continue the boycott of court proceedings, except for emergencies. The GB Supreme Appellate Court Bar Association, GB High Court Bar Association, and district bar associations joined the strike in November 2024.
Gilgit Baltistan Lawyers strike will continue till 26th of April, Lawyers will not appear in all of Gilgit-Baltistan and will stage protest in all districts of Gilgit-Baltistan.
Lawyers fraternity will continue legal fight for the rights of Gilgit-Baltistan.
— Ashfaq Ahmed Advocate. (@ashfaqoneglt) April 16, 2025Lawyers, including Tanveer Akhtar Advocate and Javed Iqbal, criticised the federal and GB governments for inaction. They claimed that the Supreme Appellate Court has been dysfunctional for the past seven years due to the reliance on a single judge, resulting in thousands of pending cases. There is a pressing need to establish special courts for labour, consumer, and family matters.
Read: Gilgit-Baltistan Lawyers Boycott Courts Until April 16
Additionally, it is important to separate the roles of judicial magistrates and civil judges. Furthermore, the Lawyers Protection Act should be extended to Gilgit-Baltistan to ensure the professional safety of lawyers, and their input should be included in land and mining reforms.
