ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday issued contempt of court notices to 17 lawyers including Islamabad Bar Council member Naseer Kayani and candidates vying for top position of the Islamabad High Court Bar Association (IHCBA) election scheduled to be held on Feb 27.

The recipient of the contempt of court notices included IHCBA’s presidential candidate Raja Zahid, candidate for secretary Tasadduq Hanif and joint secretary’s candidate Yasmin Sindu.

Notices were also issued to Ahsan Majeed Gujjar, Arbab Ayub Gujjar, Faisal Jadoon, Farzana Mughal, Hamad Dar, Nazia Abbasi, Shaista Tabassum, Kulsoom Rafique, Kamran Yousafzai, Hafiz Malik Mazhar Javed, Khalid Mehmood, Raja Amjad and Raja Farrukh.

The lawyers were among those 400 who stormed the IHC on building on Feb 8, injured the IHC’s staff and manhandled a journalist, besides damaging the furniture and smashing the window of the Chief Justice Block.

The police registered an FIR against 21 lawyers under various sections of the Pakistan Penal Code and Anti Terrorism Act (ATA).

Meanwhile, a joint session of the IBC, IHCBA and District Bar Association at the Islamabad Bar Council discussed the situation. A joint resolution by the elected representatives of the lawyers condemned demolition of chambers and also regretted the lawyers attack on the IHC.

They demanded withdrawal of the FIR registered against the lawyers.

They also demanded removal of the district and sessions judge (west) and action against officials of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and the district administration who demolished the lawyers chambers. The lawyers’ bodies also issued strike call to protest the demolition of chambers and manhandling of lawyers.

Moreover, 70 young lawyers also issued a joint statement to condemn the attack on the IHC.

The statement said as videos from the scene clearly show a section of lawyers attacking the chambers, causing destruction to property and threatening members of the judiciary.

These actions do not merely merit moral condemnation; they violate criminal law of the country as well as canons of professional ethics and must be dealt with, accordingly.

We note with great dismay that it has had to come to this point. This is but one instance in a growing trend of lawlessness within the legal community.

Recently, a video surfaced in which lawyers were seen threatening to burn down a police station in reaction to any attempt to counteract their illegal encroachment.

If, those entrusted with the discipline of the profession had played their role, things would not have come to this pass, the statement said.

It is highly disappointing that the Islamabad Bar Council has failed to regulate the conduct of lawyers. It is due to the failure of the Islamabad Bar Council that the situation has reached to today’s incidents where members of the bar attacked the Islamabad High Court without fear, the statement concluded.

Security around CDA office tightened

Security has been strengthened in and around Capital Development Authority (CDA) office, district and sessions courts, and chief commissioner complex, keeping in view the attack on Islamabad High Court (IHC) by lawyers on Monday.

Officers of the capital administration and police said well-equipped contingents of police, including anti-riot unit and anti-terrorism force, were deployed in and around the CDA office. Paramilitary troops are also assisting the police.

Besides, barbed wire and blockades were put on the road leading towards the CDA office. The security was provide after reports that the lawyers planned a protest at the CDA office over demolition of their chambers.

In a similar move, paramilitary troops along with police were deployed in and around the districts and session courts. Security around courtrooms was also strengthened. Roads adjacent to the the IHC were closed by putting barbed wire and blockades and police and troops were deployed there.

Security of Margalla and Ramna police stations has also been enhanced.

Scores of lawyers’ chambers around the district and sessions courts were demolished in an operation conducted by the CDA, capital administration and police on Sunday night.

The CDA issued 100 more notices to lawyers on Tuesday, asking them to vacate and demolish their chambers as they were illegal, officials said.

It was stated in the notices that footpaths, pathways and parking areas had been occupied and illegal constructions made there. The lawyers were asked to vacate the illegal structures and demolish them otherwise action would be taken without any further notice.

Senior police officers met the top judicial officer of the high court and discussed security of the courts and law and order situation after demolition of the lawyers’ chambers.

The senior police officers also held a meeting to chalk out further strategy to maintain law and order and security of the courts and other buildings.Two cases have been registered against 266 lawyers at Ramna and Margalla police stations after the lawyers attacked the IHC premises.

But so far no arrest has been made in connection with the cases.

Published in Dawn, February 10th, 2021