ISLAMABAD/RAWALPINDI: The Islamabad Bar Council (IBC) and the Rawalpindi District Bar Association on Tuesday condemned the terrorist attack at the district and sessions courts complex in G-11 that claimed several lives and left scores of people injured, including members of the legal fraternity.

In a statement, IBC Vice Chairman Naseer Ahmed Kayani and members expressed their “deepest grief, shock, and outrage” over what they described as a heinous and cowardly act of terrorism targeting a judicial institution — a place dedicated to the dispensation of justice.

The council said attacks on lawyers, litigants and court personnel were not merely assaults on individuals but direct strikes “against the rule of law and the justice system itself.”

The IBC extended its condolences to the families of the victims and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured. “The legal fraternity of Islamabad stands united in solidarity with the victims and their families in this hour of grief,” the statement read.

As a mark of protest, the Islamabad Bar Council announced a complete strike from November 12 to 14 across all courts within the Islamabad Capital Territory. During this period, no advocate will appear before any court as a gesture of mourning and condemnation.

The council resolved to convene its general house meeting along with representatives of subordinate bar associations to determine the future course of action after consultation.

The IBC demanded a transparent and thorough investigation into the attack.

Rawalpindi

After the incident at the Islamabad district Courts, the Rawalpindi District Bar Association also gave a call of strike for Wednesday (today) in solidarity with the lawyers. The district bar expressed deep sorrow and grief over the loss of lives in Islamabad and said it stands shoulder to shoulder with the lawyers.

In a statement, District Bar Association President Sardar Manzar Bashir said the blood of the martyrs of Islamabad district courts will not go in vain.

It demanded that strict legal action should be taken against such evil elements and that “the heads of the institutions should also be questioned on administrative charges.”

On the other hand, the Rawalpindi district administration issued a security plan for the district courts and increased checking of visitors.

It said all entry points shall be thoroughly checked and monitored. Walk-through gates shall be installed and made functional at all entry points. All vehicles entering the premises must be properly checked.

Entry of irrelevant or unauthorised persons is strictly prohibited. Undue or unauthorised parking within or around the premises is also strictly prohibited; such vehicles shall be lifted immediately.

It asked the contractor of Kutchery remodeling project, FWO, to depute personnel at all entry points to regulate and allow controlled entry, particularly of labourers and project staff.

Published in Dawn, November 12th, 2025