A large contingent of police has been deployed at district courts in Islamabad in view of the strike announced by lawyers against the transfer of three high courts’ judges to the Islamabad High Court (IHC) despite strong opposition to the government’s move, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Monday.
All Pakistan Lawyers’ Convention will also be organised at district courts today at which a course of action would be devised for the future.
Lawyers of Islamabad had on Sunday rejected the transfer of three high courts’ judges to the IHC and announced they would boycott the court proceedings on Monday besides holding a convention to voice their concern over the development.
In their joint resolution, Islamabad Bar Council, Islamabad High Court Bar and Islamabad District Bar Association said the meeting scheduled to be held on February 10 was convened with a mala fide intent and must be cancelled.
On the other hand, the three judges, whose transfers from the Lahore High Court (LHC), the Sindh High Court (SHC) and the Balochistan High Court (BHC) to the IHC were notified earlier on Sunday, will start performing their duties today.
As per the roster issued by the IHC’s Registrar's Office, Justice Sarfaraz Dogar will be a member of the bench number 2; Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani will hear the cases fixed before the bench number 3, while Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro, who was transferred from the SHC, would be a member of the bench number 9.
Govt accused of disturbing judges’ seniority
Talking to the media men on Monday, Islamabad Bar Association President Naeem Ali Gujjar said that yesterday they (lawyers) decided unanimously to hold protest today against transfer of three judges to Islamabad High Court (IHC) which showed bad intension of government.
Naeem Gujjar said the present government has disturbed seniority of judges by transferring three judges from outside.
He said that lawyers from across the country will participate in their convention which will be held today. Naeem Gujjar said they will adopt a joint strategy for future in this convention.
He said that that they will take a better decision which also includes closure of courts.
He said that most of the lawyers agreed on this issue. If this is happening in Islamabad High Court today, the same will be happened in Lahore High Court tomorrow.
He asked whether newl judges were able to translate the constitution prior to their present posting.
He said that a judge who is on 15 number in seniority list being appointed as chief justice of Islamabad High Court.
Naeem Gujjar said that judges who were appointed on January 20, 2025 being posted in Islamabad High Court.
He said that procedure of appointment of judges is not transparent in 18th amendment in the Constitution.
Reporter: Hashir Warraich