Rawalpindi Bar opposes 26th amendment

The High Court Bar Association Rawalpindi unanimously rejected the proposed 26th constitutional amendment, labelling it a threat to Pakistan's independent judiciary and the Constitution's core framework.

"We will not allow anyone to tamper with the Constitution of Pakistan, and we will protest strongly against any such attempts," the bar's leadership declared.

The bar association also called for the immediate appointment of Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, the senior-most judge, as Chief Justice of Pakistan. The demand was raised during a meeting presided over by Bar President Malik Jawad Khalid and attended by legal professionals from Rawalpindi Division, Jhelum, Mianwali, and Chakwal. Among the attendees were former bar presidents Ikram Chaudhary, Ghulam Mustafa Kandwal, Taufeeq Asif, Ahsanuddin, Tanveer Iqbal Khan, and Sardar Abdul Raziq. Several notable speakers, including Sajjad Abbasi, Malik Faisal Sheikh Zafar, and Saleh Hussain, addressed the gathering.

During the meeting, the lawyers passed a resolution rejecting the authority of the current parliament to introduce constitutional amendments, arguing that it does not represent the will of the people. The resolution also made it clear that any extension of Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa's tenure beyond October 26 would be unacceptable.

The legal community pledged to defend the Constitution, drawing on their history of struggle for judicial independence and readiness to mobilise in protest.

Bar President Malik Jawad Khalid reiterated the bar's unwavering commitment to the rule of law and judicial independence, stressing that no compromises would be made. The meeting saw some dissent, as members of the People's Lawyers Forum (PLF) opposed the protest resolution and boycotted the session after raising slogans in protest.

General Secretary Sajid Khan Tanoli and former Secretary District Bar Malik Zaheer Arshad have condemned the resolution passed by the High Court Bar Association Rawalpindi against the 26th constitutional amendment, calling it "wrong and unconstitutional." Addressing a press conference alongside fellow lawyers, PLF members criticised the bar's approach, stating that broader consultation among the legal community was necessary before issuing such resolutions.

"We believe all lawyers should have been consulted and given a chance to provide input on these amendments," said Tanoli, adding that two days ago, the High Court Bar Association had issued a circular for the meeting, during which a resolution against the amendments was hastily presented. PLF members argued that if any individual or group had objections to the constitutional amendments, they should approach the courts to resolve the matter.

The PLF leaders declared the session unconstitutional and illegal, emphasising that there is no debate over the process of constitution-making. While they refrained from commenting on individual judges, Tanoli made it clear that no judge should be "made into a hero."