Lawyers threaten court boycott in Lahore over biometric verification

LAHORE – A lawyers’ convention organised by the Lahore Bar Association (LBA) opposed the 26th and 27th constitutional amendments. The participants also warned of a court boycott over mandatory biometric verification for filing cases. The convention was held at a private hotel. LBA President Irfan Hayat Bajwa chaired the event. Representatives of bar associations from across Punjab and a large number of lawyers attended the gathering. Addressing the convention, Bajwa said the event was not linked to any political party. He said it was organised to oppose the 26th and 27th constitutional amendments. He said bar associations were the only forums defending the Constitution and rule of law. He criticised the Punjab Bar Council for restricting bar associations from announcing strikes. Bajwa said bar associations should have the right to call strikes in their districts to protect lawyers’ rights. He termed the restrictions unfair. He also criticised the biometric verification system for litigants. He said the system was creating problems for citizens visiting courts. He added that more hurdles were being created in the name of judicial reforms. He warned that lawyers would boycott court proceedings from Monday if the biometric condition for filing cases was not withdrawn. The speakers also condemned alleged extrajudicial killings by the Crime Control Department (CCD). They claimed the department had been established unlawfully. The convention also criticised the transfer of judges from the Islamabad High Court to other high courts.