KARACHI: The legal fraternity on Friday observed a full-day strike in subordinate judiciary in Karachi and Hyderabad in protest over the passage of the 27th Amendment and to express solidarity with retired apex court judges Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Athar Minallah, who quit on a “matter of principle to uphold the independence of the judiciary”.

The legal fraternity, across the two cities, boycotted judicial proceedings and abstained from appearing before the courts on Friday.

In Karachi’s City Courts, litigants were not allowed to enter the premises, where cases were adjourned due to the Karachi Bar Association’s (KBA) complete strike.

In Hyderabad, district and sessions court gave a deserted look due to the lawyers’ strike.

Commending the two retired SC justices for tendering their resignations in protest, KBA Secretary General Rehman Korai said that the association had previously invited both of them to an oath-taking ceremony as well as to address the bar.

Legal fraternity to hold convention in Sukkur today against 27th Amendment

Expressing his concern, Mr Korai said that the authorities had first set up Constitutional Benches and have now constituted a Federal Constitutional Court.

He cautioned that in the next phase, provincial autonomy may be curtailed, the NFC Award could be altered, and education may be shifted towards a more centralised structure.

“A major conspiracy is unfolding, but the nation is waking up,” he added, while speaking at a press conference held at the KBA office on Friday.

He criticised the recent amendment that grants the post of Field Marshal “lifetime immunity” from prosecution.

He announced that he will lead a convoy for Sukkur where a lawyer convention would be held on Saturday (today).

Talking to the media, Sindh High Court Bar Association General Secretary Mirza Sarfaraz said that the sole target of the 27th Amendment was the judiciary.

He added that the 26th Amendment had earlier been challenged, but the decision on the petition was still pending.

He maintained that Article 199 of the Constitution had effectively been taken away from the high courts, saying that on Friday judges did not take up petitions filed under Article 199 for hearing.

Published in Dawn, November 15th, 2025