According to Geo News, attorneys from three bar councils in Islamabad have declared a strike and boycott of the High Court proceedings in protest of the judge transfers, calling them “malicious” and a “attack” on the judiciary’s independence.

Beginning Monday, the Islamabad District Bar Association (IDBA), Islamabad High Court Bar Association (IHCBA), and Islamabad Bar Council (IBC) have agreed to abstain from all High Court and district court hearings.

According to Geo News, this incident followed President Asif Ali Zardari’s transfer of three justices to the Islamabad High Court (IHC) amid rumors that one of them would be chosen to serve as chief justice.

The Ministry of Law and Justice announced that Justice Muhammad Asif from the Balochistan High Court, Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro from the Sindh High Court, and Justice Sarfraz Dogar from the Lahore High Court have been moved to the federal territory’s court.

The three bar councils have resolved to contest the transfer of these three judges in today’s resolution. They have also called for a delay in the selection of Supreme Court justices.

On Monday, there will also be a lawyer convention, according to Geo News.
Aleem Khan Abbasi, vice chairman of the IBC, stated, “We reject the notification about the posting of judges to the IHC.”

The attorneys will have a historic convention on Monday, he said, adding that they sensed malice behind the judicial commission’s meeting next week and the new judges’ appointment to the IHC, according to Geo News.

After a plea from five justices of the Islamabad High Court, President Zardari made his judgment. In a letter to Pakistan’s Chief Justice Yahya Afridi, five IHC justices voiced their worries over recent media reports that suggested a transferred judge will be given consideration for the position of chief justice of the federal territory’s court.

According to Geo News, the letter was addressed to CJP Yahya Afridi, IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq, LHC Chief Justice Aalia Neelum, and SHC Chief Justice Mohammad Shafi Siddiqui. It was signed by Justices Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri, Babar Sattar, Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan, and Saman Rafat Imtiaz.