PBC rejects hike in court fees

The Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) on Saturday rejected the recent increase in court fees, describing it as an attack on the poor's fundamental right to access justice.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the PBC Executive Committee chaired by Muhammad Yasin Azad. The council expressed deep concern over amendments to the Supreme Court Rules 2025, strongly opposing the rise in judicial fees and demanding its immediate withdrawal.

According to a statement, the PBC said the government had failed to take the Council into confidence before introducing the fee hike. It announced that an All Parties Conference (APC) would be convened in Islamabad on Sept 27, bringing together representatives of political parties and bar associations to discuss the issue.

The PBC also condemned a raid by the CTD at the residence of former Justice (retd) Zahoor Ahmed Shahwani, terming it a violation of the Constitution, law, and civil liberties as it was conducted without a search warrant.

The Council further denounced the killing of lawyer Mian Asim Kakakhel.