ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad Bar Council, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) Bar Association and the District Bar Association will be observing a strike today. The lawyer groups are protesting against the transfer of three judges from High Courts of other provinces to the IHC.
Yesterday, in a joint press conference, office-bearers of the three groups had said that the recent transfers of judges from the Lahore High Court (LHC), Sindh High Court (SHC) and the Balochistan High Court (BHC) to the IHC is aimed at dividing the judiciary. They said that these transfers are based on mala fide intentions, and that the lawyers in the capital will strongly oppose it.
Islamabad Bar Council Chairman Aleem Abbasi announced a convention at the District Court in G-11 at 11 AM today. He said that a meeting of the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) has also been convened with “ill intent”. The lawyers are demanding that all petitions against the 26th Constitutional Amendment be heard first and then decisions be taken on new appointments. They want the petitions to be heard immediately as well.
Abbasi added that judicial appointments are being made on political affiliations, since the passage of the 26th Constitutional Amendment.
IHC Bar President Association Riyasat Ali Azad said that the IHC’s only “crime” is its commitment to judicial independence. “After the convention a rally will also be held,” he added.
RECENT APPOINTMENTS
Three judges from the SHC, LHC and BHC were recently transferred to the IHC. The Ministry of Law issued the notification of their transfer to the IHC. LHC’s Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar, SHC’s Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro, and BHC’s Justice Muhammad Asif have been appointed to the IHC.
Earlier on Saturday, the IHC judges wrote a letter to the President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari and Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Yahya Afridi, urging them not bring judges from other high courts nor they be appointed as the IHC chief justice. According to sources, several judges, including Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, had signed the letter.