ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Bar Council has expressed support for the 26th and 27th constitutional amendments and the establishment of a Constitutional Court and called for strict action against anyone making inappropriate remarks against judges and the judiciary.
The meeting of the bar councils was held under the chairmanship of Vice Chairman Pir Muhammad Masood Chishti, with vice chairmen and representatives from all provincial bar councils in attendance.
In a statement issued by the PBC, the legal community was described as a key pillar of the justice system, facing threats, violence, and harassment during the course of their professional duties. The council emphasized that preventing such attacks is now essential.
The Council demanded that merely passing laws is not enough; effective implementation is necessary. They called for immediate registration of FIRs against attackers, the establishment of special security protocols in courts, and the provision of police protection to affected lawyers. They added that implementation of the Lawyers Protection Act would allow lawyers to perform their duties without fear and strengthen the rule of law in the country.
The councils also stressed that the parliament has full authority to pass constitutional amendments and laws for public welfare. They highlighted that the creation of a Constitutional Court would allow for more effective resolution of constitutional and political cases, reduce the burden on the Supreme Court, and strengthen the federal system.
The councils further demanded that all vacant positions in the higher judiciary be filled within a month and that appointments for positions arising from judge transfers be made from the respective high courts. They opposed new appointments of retired judges.
The meeting condemned political elements using inappropriate language against the judiciary and attempting to spread unrest for political purposes. It called for immediate cases against those involved in character assassination of lawyers, bar representatives, or judges on social media and urged that these individuals be tried under cybercrime laws.
The councils also requested amendments to the Legal Practitioners and Bar Councils Act, 1973, including giving bar councils the power to suspend licenses and changing “may” to “shall” in Section 57 to ensure payment of grants-in-aid.
