In anticipation of a possible protest by lawyers, security outside the Supreme Court has been tightened, and the metro bus service operating between the twin cities has also been restricted.
A heavy police contingent has been deployed within the Supreme Court premises, and only Margalla Road has been kept open for access to the court. Due to road closures leading to the Supreme Court, the scheduled hearing of the civilian trial case at the apex court has also been postponed.
The closure of entry points into the Red Zone has caused severe traffic congestion at Kashmir Chowk. Additionally, Serena Chowk, NADRA, Marriott, Express Chowk, and T-Cross Bari Imam are also closed, while the Jinnah Underpass has been blocked with containers.
Considering the potential protest, the operations of the Rawalpindi-Islamabad metro bus service have been restricted. The metro service has been suspended from Faiz Ahmed Faiz Station to the Pak Secretariat. According to the metro administration, bus service remains operational from Rawalpindi Saddar Station to Faiz Ahmed Faiz Station, while the service in Islamabad has been suspended due to security concerns.
Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, Lawyers’ Action Committee leaders Muneer A. Malik and Ali Ahmed Kurd accused the government of blocking roads to suppress the protest. They stated that lawyers from Karachi and Sindh arrived in Islamabad last night, but all routes were sealed to prevent their demonstration. “Our protest is against the Judicial Commission meeting, and we aim to highlight this issue as it is tantamount to an attack on the judiciary and the state of Pakistan,” they asserted.
Ali Ahmed Kurd said such circumstances have never been witnessed in Pakistan before. He declared the 26th constitutional amendment unconstitutional and stated that those who passed it should be ashamed. He further alleged that an attempt is being made to appoint preferred judges in the Judicial Commission, which lawyers will not accept. He demanded the immediate postponement of the Judicial Commission meeting.
Karachi Bar Secretary-General Ghulam Rehman said their protest is aimed at restoring the constitution, as judges are now making decisions based on political influence. He added that they are also raising their voice for press freedom and demanding the repeal of draconian laws like the PECA Act.
Rabia Bajwa stated that Constitution Avenue would not be turned into a military garrison, criticizing the alleged presence of a military bench in the Judicial Commission, calling it unacceptable. She emphasized that lawyers have taken to the streets to defend the Constitution and the law, vowing that their struggle will continue.
