Lawyers in Pakistan protest controversial judicial reforms

Lawyers in Pakistan held a protest at the high court premises in Karachi on Saturday, escalating their opposition to the newly approved 27th Constitutional Amendment.

The amendment — which has created a Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) — was pushed through Parliament despite loud objections from judicial quarters as well as opposition lawmakers.

Legal circles have since raised alarms, arguing that the reform effectively sidelines the Supreme Court (SC) by shifting its status as the country’s top judicial authority to the newly constituted FCC.

Concern within the judiciary deepened soon after the amendment came into force on November 13. Two Supreme Court judges, Justice Athar Minallah and senior puisne judge Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, resigned the same day, publicly citing their reservations about the changes.

At the Sindh High Court (SHC) on Saturday, Karachi Bar Association members began their demonstration outside the court building, chanting against the amendment before moving inside the premises. Footage from the scene showed a brief confrontation between lawyers and police officers, after which police stepped back, allowing the protest to proceed. Some officials reportedly sustained minor injuries.

The lawyers later gathered in the Sindh High Court Bar Association hall to continue their protest, but shifted outside when the electricity supply to the room was cut off.

This week’s demonstration follows a series of actions by the KBA. The association had already observed a complete strike in the lower courts last week to register its opposition and express solidarity with retired judges. Another full-day boycott took place on Monday, during which litigants were barred from City Courts and routine proceedings were halted.

The KBA had earlier announced that “token strikes” would be observed from Tuesday through Saturday, beginning at 11 am each day.