ISLAMABAD: The lawyers’ fraternity has requested to set up “temporary chambers” on the Capital Development Authority’s (CDA) plot in sector G-11 adjacent to the Judicial Complex until the completion of the lawyer’s facilitation centre in G-10.

Representatives of the lawyers’ community including Islamabad Bar Association President Chaudhry Naeem Ali Gujjar, Islamabad High Court Association president and others have requested the civic body through a letter.

“We are writing to bring to your attention the urgent need for temporary lawyers chambers in Sector G-11 until the Lawyers Facilitation Centre in G-10 is completed,” read the letter, which was addressed to the CDA chairman.

It was stated that after the shifting of courts from F-8 to G-11, lawyers and litigants were facing difficulties due to space issues.

“Following the relocation of the F-8 courts, the district courts have been shifted to G-11. However, lawyers currently lack a proper workspace within the new judicial complex, which is essential for the efficient functioning of legal proceedings and client consultations. To address this issue, we respectfully, request that permission be granted for the construction of temporary lawyers’ chambers on a vacant plot adjacent to judicial complex G-11,” read the letter.

It further said, “It has been determined with the strength of numerical data that about 10,000 persons enter the district courts daily and the new building is unable to handle the pressure.

The arrangement [permission of temporary chambers] will greatly facilitate legal professionals by providing them with a suitable working environment close to courts, the representatives claimed.

Moreover, they said it will ensure that the judicial process continues without unnecessary disruption.

“We guarantee on behalf of Islamabad High Court Bar Association and Islamabad Bar Association that when our Lawyers Facilitation Centre is completed, we will leave the above-mentioned temporary lawyers chambers to you in the same condition,” they noted.

Before shifting to G-11, local courts operated in F-8 Markaz.

At F-8, the lawyers faced a space issue that resulted in the construction of chambers on green belts and a football ground. At one point, the Islamabad High Court removed unauthorised chambers.

Following that, the construction of the judicial complex was expedited.

When contacted, an officer of CDA confirmed to Dawn that the civic agency had received an application last week. When asked if CDA would grant the permission, the officer replied, “We will decide on the application based on rules and regulations.”

Published in Dawn, April 3rd, 2025