G-B lawyers’ strike enters eighth day, demand consultation on land reforms, legal protection

GILGIT: Gilgit-Baltistan lawyers boycotted court proceedings for the eighth consecutive day on Tuesday as part of a sustained protest to press for their demands.

G-B High Court Bar Association President Tanveer, while speaking to HUM News English, said that the strike was being supported by several bar associations, including the High Court Bar Association, the Gilgit-Baltistan Bar Council, and district bars.

One of the primary demands of the protesting lawyers is consultation on the proposed Land Reform Act. “We do not reject the bill but insist on consultation to address amendments to the proposed legislation,” Tanveer stated, emphasizing the need for a revised version of the bill.

He said their another demand was allocation of plots for lawyers as they are being provided lawyer fraternity accross Pakistan except G-B.

The lawyers have called for the implementation of the Lawyers Protection Act to ensure the safety and welfare of the legal community. The lawyers have also highlighted the need to address the grievances of the public by filling vacancies in Gilgit-Baltistan’s courts, especially in the Supreme Appellate Court, to expedite the judicial process.

The associations further demanded the withdrawal of “baseless FIRs and criminal charges” against lawyers, along with the removal of their names from Schedule IV. They have warned the government that the protest will escalate if their demands are not met. The strike is set to continue until November 16, with the next strategy to be announced on that date.

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Meanwhile, Chief Justice of the Supreme Appellate Court Sardar Muhammad Shamim Khan has taken notice of the extension of the strike. During court proceedings, it was pointed out that the lawyers’ strike had been extended by another week, impacting case hearings. The Chief Justice dismissed their request, asserting that the lawyers’ demands are directed at the government and not the judiciary.

Highlighting the difficulties faced by litigants in Gilgit-Baltistan due to the non-appearance of lawyers, the Chief Justice issued a directive warning lawyers that their cases would be dismissed if they failed to appear. The registrar of the Chief Court has been instructed to ensure uninterrupted court proceedings, with judges directed to dismiss cases in the event of non-compliance by lawyers.