The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Bar Council has called a province-wide lawyers’ strike for Monday, October 19, in protest against emergency measures and governor’s rule in the province.
The council also plans to challenge the federal government’s decision in the Peshawar High Court, its representatives said after a general body meeting.
Lawyers were asked to stay away from court appearances on Monday. The council described the measures as unconstitutional and undemocratic, a position it intends to argue before the court.
Court challenge planned
The bar council has formed a legal panel to prepare a constitutional petition and wants the case heard alongside related challenges on October 20.
A separate petition filed by PTI chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan was also scheduled for a preliminary hearing on October 20, according to Dawn.
The council demanded that former chief minister Sohail Afridi and provincial assembly speaker Babar Saleem Swati be brought before a court or released. It also raised concerns over the reported detention of lawyer Ameer Ijaz and announced a committee to examine complaints of harassment against legal professionals.
Dispute over federal intervention
The federal government imposed emergency measures and governor’s rule on October 11, citing security concerns and what it described as insufficient cooperation from the provincial administration on counterterrorism.
PTI and other critics reject that justification. The courts have yet to determine the outcome of the planned challenges.
The council has called a further meeting of district and tehsil bar association presidents for October 24 to discuss its next steps.
Sources: Dawn on the bar council strike; Reuters on the emergency measures.