The current issue of the recent lawyers' news in Pakistan is the lawyers' protests and resistance to the 26th Constitutional Amendment, the mounting violence against lawyers, and issues of judicial independence.
Background
In Pakistan, the legal fraternity — particularly Bar Council and Bar Association members — have a crucial role to maintain the independence of the judiciary and enforce constitutional superiority. In the recent past, lawyers in the country have acted collectively against some government actions that weaken judicial autonomy and minimize the authority of the courts.
Key Events
1. Rejection of the 26th Constitutional Amendment
o Lawyers' conventions and bar associations, such as Supreme Court Bar Association, Lahore High Court Bar, and so on, have opposed the 26th Amendment vigorously.
o They argue that this amendment provides the government with greater control over the appointment of judges and infringes upon judicial independence.
o The lawyers have declared that peaceful protests, strikes, and conventions will be maintained until this amendment is withdrawn.
2. Strikes and Protests in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
o In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), attorneys have witnessed a province-wide strike following the assassination of a number of lawyers in targeted attacks.
o They blamed the police for negligence and called for the arrest of the guilty officers.
o The movement indicates increasing frustration among lawyers regarding security concerns and unequal treatment by authorities.
3. Court Notices on Suspension of Lawyers' Licenses
o The Peshawar High Court requested the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) and KP Bar Council to justify why the licenses of some lawyers were suspended for ignoring strike summonses.
o This case indicates intra-community splits within the legal fraternity, with some lawyers preferring strikes and others court work.
Conclusion
The present state of lawyers in Pakistan reflects a profound conflict between the legal fraternity and the government. Attorneys feel constitutional rights, judicial autonomy, and legal professional security are in jeopardy. The onslaught on the 26th Amendment by the attorneys indicates a united stand in defense of the judiciary against political interference. Yet internal problems such as suspension of licenses and violence in the provinces indicate that reforms within the legal system itself are called for. In short, the 2025 lawyers' movement is not about any single amendment it is a broader battle for justice, transparency, and the rule of law in Pakistan. The resolution of these events will probably determine the future dynamics between the courts, the lawyers, and the government.
