Over 300 lawyers across Pakistan have penned an open letter to Supreme Court and High Court judges, urging them to reject any appointments to a proposed new court. The letter, signed by prominent lawyers including Munir Ahmed Kakar, Abid Saqi, Riyaz Ali Azad, Abid Hassan Minto, Bilal Hassan Minto, and Salahuddin, expresses deep concern over the establishment of the new court.

The lawyers argue that the new court would essentially function as a parallel to the Provisional Constitutional Order (PCO) courts, and that judges appointed to it would be no different from those who served under the PCO.

They criticize the secretive nature of the proposed amendments, noting that the draft emerged unexpectedly and that even many elected representatives were unaware of its contents.

The letter explicitly states that the lawyers do not support the proposed constitutional amendments, citing a lack of meaningful public debate. While the government claims the proposed court is mentioned in the Charter of Democracy, the lawyers contend that this does not justify the lack of transparency and discussion.

The lawyers appeal to the judges’ oaths to uphold the constitution, urging them to carefully consider their actions. They emphasize the historical significance of this moment, urging the judges to choose a path that will reflect positively on their legacy.

The letter concludes with a plea for the judges to avoid association with the new court, ensuring their names are not linked to what the lawyers view as a potentially damaging and undemocratic institution.