ISLAMABAD: Lawyers’ representatives from the federal capital on Tuesday demanded that future appointments to the Islamabad High Court (IHC) be made from among the Islamabad lawyers, as they voiced serious concerns over alleged corruption in the district judiciary.

The demands were made during a joint press conference held at the Islamabad High Court Bar Association following a meeting attended by representatives of the Pakistan Bar Council, Islamabad Bar Council, Islamabad High Court Bar Association and Islamabad District Bar Association.

Among those present were Pakistan Bar Council member Raja Rizwan Abbasi, Islamabad Bar Council member Raja Aleem Abbasi, Islamabad High Court Bar Association President Syed Wajid Ali Gilani, Secretary Barrister Qasim Nawaz Abbasi, Islamabad District Bar Association President Chaudhry Naeem Gujjar and Secretary Khawar Dhaniyal.

Addressing the media, Raja Aleem Abbasi said lawyers deliberated for more than three hours on issues confronting the legal fraternity, particularly the performance of the subordinate judiciary. He alleged that corruption complaints were being reported within the district judiciary and urged the authorities to take notice.

Bars representatives allege corruption in lower judiciary, call for judicial reforms

He called upon the National Judicial Policy-Making Committee to formulate a mechanism to address corruption allegations and improve accountability in the lower courts. He also proposed transfers of district judges to other provinces as part of broader judicial reforms.

Referring to the composition of the IHC, Abbasi argued that appointments to the court should be made from lawyers practising in Islamabad. He said judges in provincial high courts are generally appointed from within their respective provinces and maintained that the same principle should apply to the federal capital.

“The Islamabad High Court belongs to Islamabad and ap­­p­ointments should be made from the Islamabad Bar,” he said, adding that the legal community rejected recent decisions of the Judicial Commission regarding appointments and sought amendments to the Islamabad High Court Act.

Abbasi warned they could convene a nationwide lawyers’ convention if their concerns remained unaddressed.

Islamabad High Court Bar Association President Wajid Ali Gilani endorsed the demands raised by bar representatives and said the legal fraternity would organise a larger convention if necessary.

Barrister Qasim Nawaz Abbasi called for immediate action against judges found involved in corruption. He also maintained that several lawyers from the Islamabad Bar were qualified candidates for elevation to the high court.

District Bar Association President Chaudhry Naeem Gujjar echoed concerns regarding the subordinate judiciary and alleged that judicial officers frequently justified decisions by citing instructions from higher authorities.

The lawyers’ representatives concluded by reiterating their demand that appointments to the Islamabad High Court be made primarily from the Islamabad Bar and that judicial reforms focus on restoring public trust in the justice system.

Published in Dawn, June 10th, 2026