Gilgit-Baltistan’s legal community has escalated its fight, announcing a full boycott of court proceedings, including emergency cases, until April 16.
The move, declared Saturday, follows five months of protests over stalled demands, with lawyers now digging in for a showdown. Led by the Gilgit-Baltistan High Court Bar Association (GBHCBA), the action aims to pressure the government to address critical judicial and legal gaps.
The GB High Court Bar Association (GBHCBA), chaired by Advocate Tanveer Akhtar, convened to discuss demands supported by the GB Bar Council, the Supreme Appellate Court Bar, and various district bars. Their resolution criticizes the government’s inaction as a “conspiracy against the people of GB,” hindering access to justice.
Among the key grievances are the stalled appointment of judges to the GB Supreme Appellate Court, where 8,000 cases are currently pending, and the federal government’s delay in extending the Lawyers Protection Act. The association has decided to implement a boycott that prohibits all court appearances. Lawyers who do not comply with this directive may face fines ranging from Rs 100,000 to Rs 300,000 or the cancellation of their licenses.
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The unrest traces back to Chief Minister-accepted promises that fizzled out. The Supreme Appellate Court’s lone judge, operating solo for seven years, can’t tackle the backlog, per GBHCBA President Tanveer Khan. Lawyers also blast a “flawed” land reforms draft, ignored despite their input, and mining leases handed to outsiders. They’re pushing for civil judge vacancies, judicial magistrate separation, and judge appointments in labour and family courts, demands unmet despite strikes.
The GB Bar Council echoed the call, urging swift action. With protests planned region-wide and court lockouts on the table, this standoff could shake Gilgit-Baltistan’s legal landscape until April 16 or beyond.
