The legal world is in an uproar! Lawyers in Karachi are vehemently protesting the recently implemented 27th Constitutional Amendment, and the situation is escalating. On Saturday, members of the Karachi Bar Association (KBA) took to the streets, specifically outside the Sindh High Court (SHC), to voice their strong disapproval. But why all the fuss? Let's dive in.
The core of the issue lies in this controversial amendment, which led to the creation of the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC). Passed by Parliament, the amendment faced significant opposition.
And this is the part most people miss... Legal experts are raising concerns that the amendment could potentially diminish the Supreme Court's (SC) authority, possibly positioning the FCC as the ultimate judicial authority in the country. This shift has sparked serious debate among legal professionals.
Adding fuel to the fire, both current and former judges, alongside lawyers, have openly opposed the amendment. Their primary concern revolves around the potential impact on the SC. The situation became even more tense when, shortly after the amendment's enactment on November 13th, two SC judges resigned, citing their reservations. These judges were Athar Minallah and Mansoor Ali Shah, who held the position of senior puisne judge at the time.
During the protest at the SHC, lawyers chanted slogans against the amendment and later entered the high court premises. Visuals from the scene depict a scuffle between some lawyers and police personnel. Following the altercation, the police retreated, allowing the protest to continue. There were reports of minor injuries to police officials. The lawyers then moved their demonstration inside the Sindh High Court Bar Association's hall, continuing their protest with slogans against the amendment and the government. Eventually, they took their demonstration outside the bar room after the electricity supply was cut off.
Last week, the KBA initiated a full-day strike in the subordinate judiciary to protest the amendment's passage and to show solidarity with the retired judges. They also held a full-day strike on Monday, during which litigants were barred from entering the City Courts premises, leading to the adjournment of proceedings. The KBA had also announced "token strikes from 11 am onwards" from Tuesday to Saturday.
But here's where it gets controversial... This amendment touches on the very foundation of the legal system, raising questions about the balance of power and the role of the judiciary. What are your thoughts on this situation? Do you agree with the lawyers' concerns, or do you see merit in the amendment? Share your opinions in the comments below!
