IHC resumes work under tight security days after lawyers' rampage

IHC Bar call for a strike and announces boycott of court

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) resumed work on Wednesday with a large contingent of security personnel protecting the premises, three days after lawyers rampaged through the judicial compound.

The IHC Bar, on the other hand, called for a complete strike ad announced a boycott of the court, saying that action would be taken against any lawyer who appeared in any court.

During a hearing of the case, the lawyers' rampage was mentioned. 

Justice Amir Farooq said that the attack is a “reflection of what we have become. We need to think seriously about what we have become”.

“Whether it is a judge or a lawyer, we need to respect each other,” he added.

IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah also remarked on the incident after hearing a case and termed the attack on the IHC as an action by "five per cent of the lawyers". Justice Minallah also expressed regret over the incident.

He added that he was held hostage for three and a half hours.

Read More: IHC, sub-courts closed for second day following lawyers' rampage

Justice Minallah further said that the authority in this matter is the bar council and they should look into this matter adding that such an incident will not happen again if those responsible for this incident are exemplified.

On Monday, dozens of lawyers ransacked the chamber of IHC chief justice during a protest against the demolition of their illegal chambers at the Islamabad District Courts also known as the katcheri.

The Capital Development Authority’s (CDA) enforcement team and police on Sunday night demolished the illegal chambers and on Monday morning a group of rowdy lawyers entered the IHC premises, angrily chanting slogans against the judiciary and the CDA.

The mob later barged into the IHC chief justice’s chamber and started ransacking the office in which Justice Minallah was present. Groups of lawyers also forced other judges out of their courtrooms.

The mob also restrained other lawyers and visitors from entering the IHC premises. Lawyers even misbehaved with the journalists who were trying to cover the incident.

On the occasion, IHC administrative judge Mohsin Akhtar Kiyani asked the lawyers to resolve the matter through dialogue. He even addressed the mob in the IHC premises.

Justice Kayani – who also served as a president of the Islamabad High Court Bar Association in the past –told the lawyers it was regrettable that they attacked the IHC chief justice’s chamber despite the fact that he is head of the institution. IHC judge also asked the lawyers to give their demands in writing.

Representatives of lawyers, however, demanded that missing members of the bar should be recovered and all demolished chambers should be reconstructed. In the meanwhile, paramilitary Pakistan Rangers were called in to ensure the safe exit of the IHC chief justice.