Stakeholder meeting inconclusive

Strike and construction of chambers by lawyers have compounded the misery of litigants

ISLAMABAD: With a strike by lawyers in the district courts continuing for the past 20 days, a meeting between key stakeholders to end the strike has ended without reaching a breakthrough.

The strike and the construction of chambers by the lawyers have compounded the misery of litigants who have been travelling to the courts for the hearing of their cases but have had to return empty-handed when the hearings were adjourned owing to the absence of lawyers.

A meeting of stakeholders was held at the district courts in Sector F-8 Kutchery on Thursday. From the judiciary, judges of local courts and representatives of the Islamabad High Court Bar Association (IHCBA) and the Islamabad District Bar Association (IDBA) were present in the meeting. Curiously, the IDBA President Riyasat Ali Azad did not attend the meeting.

During the meeting, the illegal chambers built by lawyers throughout the Kutchery, including in the litigant facilitation centre, was discussed. In light of reports from security agencies, including the Special Branch of the Islamabad Police.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 11^th, 2019.