Lawyers across Pakistan have announced a march to Islamabad on February 10 to protest against the 26th Constitutional Amendment.
The decision emerged from a convention organized by the Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA), where President Asad Manzoor Butt articulated the collective demands of the legal community.
At the convention, Butt emphasized that legal professionals across the nation are pushing for a comprehensive court hearing regarding the 26th Amendment and are advocating for live broadcasts of Supreme Court proceedings. He also urged immediate cancellation of the forthcoming Judicial Commission of Pakistan’s (JCP) meeting. Furthermore, Butt called for a halt on new appointments until an agreement on the amendment was reached. He also emphasized that the highest-ranking judge of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) should be appointed as its chief justice.
Butt also expressed strong disapproval of the suspension of Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) Secretary Salman Mansoor and criticized amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca), signalling full support from the legal fraternity for the struggles of journalists.
Rabia Bajwa, former LHCBA president, emphasized the division among lawyers, noting a split between those aligned with the powers that be and those upholding the Constitution. She praised the integrity of IHC judges and condemned actions against SCBA Secretary Salman Mansoor.
Senator Hamid Khan asserted the lawyers’ movement would effectively challenge the 26th Amendment. He emphasized the collective demand for the full court, consisting of the current 16 judges, to hear the petitions filed against the amendment. Khan also accused the current parliamentary leaders of reducing the parliament to a mere rubber stamp, serving only the rulers’ interests.
The suspended SCBA Secretary, Salman, criticized the ruling authorities for disregarding the Constitution and law, viewing them as obstacles to their agendas. He lamented the arbitrary nature of the 26th Amendment, which he claimed serves only the rulers and not the public.
Read: PTI Challenges 26th Constitutional Amendment in Supreme Court
Ishtiaq A. Khan, President of the Insaf Lawyers Forum, alleged that certain groups had hijacked the bar councils, aiming to manipulate the judiciary by appointing preferred judges. He called for judicial resistance against the unconstitutional amendment.
Former Punjab advocate general Ahmed Owais voiced concerns that the 26th Amendment would erode fundamental rights and potentially destroy the judiciary if it remained in effect. He stressed the need for an independent judiciary to combat corruption.
Mubashir Rehman, President of the Lahore Bar Association, and Riasat Ali Azad, President of the IHC Bar Association, both reiterated their commitment to opposing the 26th Amendment and any changes to the Peca law. They also vowed to support journalists and maintain judicial independence.
This series of strong statements and planned actions underscores the legal community’s resolve to uphold constitutional integrity and judicial independence despite political pressures and legislative changes.
