The Lawyers Action Committee staged a protest outside the Supreme Court Karachi Registry, demanding the immediate notification of Justice Mansoor Ali Shah as the Chief Justice of Pakistan and rejecting the establishment of the Federal Constitutional Court.
The protest also voiced strong opposition to the Practice and Procedure Ordinance and proposed constitutional amendments.
Senior lawyers, including Advocate Muhammad Ashraf Samoon, Advocate Zahooruddin Mehsud, Advocate Manzoor Bhutta, Advocate Khalid Mahmood, Advocate Ahsan Adil Sheikh, Advocate Nazirullah Mehsud, Advocate Sarfaraz Mirza, along with PTI Women’s Wing Sindh President Sarina Khan, Karachi President Fiza Zeeshan, PTI Sindh leader Moazzam Khan, led a protest march from the Sindh High Court to the Supreme Court Karachi Registry.
The protesters, raised slogans, declared the creation of the Federal Constitutional Court and the Practice and Procedure Ordinance as an attack on the Supreme Court.
Speaking to the media, Advocate Muhammad Ashraf Samoon member of the Sindh Bar Council stated that a political court is being disguised as a constitutional court, which the lawyers strongly reject. “We will not accept any such court that undermines the importance of the Supreme Court,” he said, emphasizing that Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, being the senior judge, should be immediately appointed as the Chief Justice of Pakistan. He criticized Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa including junior and retired judges in a committee to make politically influenced decisions, saying, “We do not accept such judges.” He stressed that lawyers across the country are united in their protest to safeguard judicial independence and will not allow any attacks on the judiciary.
Speaking to the media, Advocate Zahooruddin Mehsud, President of the Insaf Lawyers Forum Karachi, strongly criticized what he called the “fake government of Form 47” for attacking the judiciary. He rejected the legitimacy of the Form 47 government and outright dismissed its decisions.
Advocate Zahooruddin Mehsud condemned the ongoing efforts to establish a Federal Constitutional Court, labeling it as completely unconstitutional. “We will never tolerate a court that is formed to make political decisions,” he said, describing such actions as a conspiracy to weaken the Supreme Court. He further accused the “Form 47 government” of attempting to extend Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa’s tenure through an amendment, which ultimately failed. “Now these corrupt rulers are trying to create a Federal Constitutional Court, which would interfere in the Supreme Court’s authority,” Mehsud warned.
Advocate Zahooruddin Mehsud emphasized that lawyers would not tolerate any attack on the judiciary, addressing Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa directly, “You are retired. For God’s sake, step down and allow Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, the senior judge, to become the Chief Justice of Pakistan.” Advocate Zahooruddin Mehsud concluded by reaffirming that the legal community stands united and resolute in its defense of judicial independence.
ILF Sindh General Secretary Manzoor Bhutta condemned the bench formed by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, calling it a plot to reverse Supreme Court decisions. “There are no two Supreme Courts anywhere in the world; there is only one. The attempt to create a Federal Constitutional Court in Pakistan is an attack on the judiciary,” Bhutta stated.
Advocate Khalid Mahmood rejected any ordinances passed by the “Form 47” government, accusing it of unconstitutional legislation aimed at undermining both the judiciary and the constitution. He also criticized the Election Commission for not addressing the recounting decision for his NA231 constituency, pending for four months. “This double standard is a betrayal of the constitution and the people,” Mahmood said, affirming that lawyers across Pakistan are protesting against unconstitutional amendments and attacks on the judiciary.
Advocate Ahsan Adil Sheikh reiterated that lawyers are protesting for judicial independence and the supremacy of the constitution, condemning the government’s attempts to bring unconstitutional amendments. “Justice Mansoor Ali Shah will be the next Chief Justice of Pakistan, and we will not accept any unconstitutional decisions,” Sheikh affirmed.
Advocate Nazirullah Mehsud addressed Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa directly, urging him to make decisions in the nation’s best interest so that the people will remember him positively. “You have seen the public’s reaction on social media. We, the lawyers, are united against any unconstitutional actions and will continue to protest,” Mehsud declared.