Dozens of lawyers booked after violent clashes at Islamabad High Court

Police in Pakistan’s capital have registered a case against dozens of lawyers following violent clashes at the Islamabad High Court on Friday, highlighting rising tensions within the country’s legal community.

The Islamabad High Court Bar Association (IHCBA) president, Syed Wajid Shah Gillani, filed a First Information Report (FIR) against 60–70 lawyers who had gathered outside the court. According to the FIR, the group allegedly chanted slogans against state institutions and the judiciary, and physically attacked Gillani. Named in the FIR were lawyers including Fateh Ullah Burki, Intezar Hussain Panjotha, Naeem Panjotha, Imaan Mazari, Zainab Janjua, and Hadi Ali Chatha.

Authorities have booked the suspects under multiple sections of the Pakistan Penal Code, covering rioting, unlawful assembly, property damage, and assault. They also face charges under Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) and the Lawyers’ Welfare and Protection Act 2023.

The clashes followed a protest organized by young Islamabad lawyers against what they termed the “unconstitutional and illegal” decision of the division bench in Justice Jehangiri’s case. The demonstration included participation from former IHCBA president Riasat Ali Azad, Islamabad Bar Council Vice Chairman Abdul Aleem Abbasi, and PTI-affiliated lawyers.

Eyewitnesses told Nukta on condition of anonymity that the confrontation escalated when Intezar Hussain Panjotha reportedly confronted Gillani, saying, “Why don’t you protest with us? You were selected by the votes of Imran Khan.” The verbal exchange quickly turned physical.

Bar association files anti-terrorism complaint

Following the incident, Gillani held a press conference at the Islamabad High Court, alleging that PTI-linked lawyers had assaulted him, manhandled other bar representatives, and pressured him to influence cases involving former PTI chief Imran Khan. He further claimed that some of the lawyers carried weapons and verbally called him a “traitor.”

The bar association announced plans to file an anti-terrorism case, seek the revocation of licenses for the accused and ban them from court premises.

Officials emphasized that the bar maintains a neutral stance, has no political agenda, and remains committed to judicial independence and the rule of law.