Clashes erupted between lawyers and police in Islamabad on Monday during protests against judicial appointments and the 26th Constitutional Amendment.

The demonstrations coincided with the Judicial Commission of Pakistan meeting where, despite support from six representative lawyers’ organisations, a group of lawyers protested the proceedings.

Four JCP members including two PTI members and justices Mansoor Ali Shah and Muneeb Akhtar boycotted the meeting.

Lawyers from the Lawyers Action Committee gathered near a private hotel in Islamabad, holding placards and chanting slogans.

Led by Munir A Malik and Ali Ahmed Kurd, they marched towards the Red Zone. Near Jinnah Underpass, protesters encountered initial resistance from police, leading to clashes between the two groups.

When access to the Red Zone was blocked, they staged a brief sit-in on Srinagar Highway. Later, they gathered at the Express Chowk, where a heavy police presence was already in place.

The lawyers chanted slogans against the government and the 26th Constitutional Amendment. Upon reaching D-Chowk, the Islamabad High Court Bar Association president announced that the protest would be suspended.

But Riasat Ali, the association’s president, later declared that “daily protests” would continue during the 26th Constitutional Amendment hearings, with plans for a long march during the hearing.

He also stated that the appointments made during the JCP meeting would be challenged.

Appointment of six new judges

In the meeting, the JCP approved the appointment of six new judges to the Supreme Court.

Lawyers Action Committee press conference

Leaders of the Lawyers Action Committee, including Munir A Malik and Ali Ahmed Kurd, held a press conference in Islamabad and accused the government of blocking roads to prevent their protest.

Malik stated that lawyers from Karachi and Sindh had arrived in Islamabad last night, but authorities had closed all access points to hinder their demonstration. He emphasised that the protest was against the JCP’s meeting, which he claimed was an “attack on the judiciary and the state of Pakistan.”

Kurd declared that such circumstances had never been seen in Pakistan before. He called the 26th Constitutional Amendment “unconstitutional” and criticised those who approved it, saying they should be ashamed.

He alleged that the JCP was attempting to appoint judges based on favouritism, which lawyers would not accept.

Karachi Bar Association Secretary General Ghulam Rahman stated that the protest was aimed at “restoring the Constitution,” as judges were allegedly making decisions under political influence. He also voiced support for press freedom and the repeal of oppressive laws such as the Prevention of Electronic Crime Act.

Activist Rabia Bajwa warned that Constitution Avenue would not be turned into a cantonment. She claimed that a “military-backed bench” had been included in the JCP’s meeting, which was unacceptable. She asserted that lawyers had taken to the streets to defend the Constitution and the rule of law and vowed to continue their struggle.

Support for JCP meeting

On the other hand, six major lawyers’ associations from across the country declared full support for the JCP meeting. In a joint statement, the Pakistan Bar Council, Supreme Court Bar Association, Punjab Bar Council, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Bar Council, and the Balochistan and Sindh High Court Bar associations rejected the protest, affirming that there would be no compromise on judicial independence. Civilian trial case postponed until tomorrow

Hearing postponed

The Supreme Court has postponed the hearing of the civilian trial case in special courts until tomorrow.

A seven-member constitutional bench, headed by Justice Aminuddin Khan, was hearing the case. During the proceedings, Assistant Lawyer Rana Waqar informed the court that lawyer Salman Akram Raja could not reach the court due to traffic congestion, as only Margalla Road was open.

Justice Jamal Mandokhail remarked that other lawyers, including Khawaja Haris, had managed to reach the court and questioned why Raja had not planned accordingly. He further stated, “It seems that lawyers want people to remain detained indefinitely. If the lawyers don’t want the hearing, then so be it.”

The official court order stated that since Salman Akram Raja was absent when the case was called, the hearing of the special courts case has been postponed until tomorrow.