The Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) on Tuesday held a General House protest meeting against the proposed 26th and 27th Constitutional Amendments, warning that the changes could undermine judicial independence and public trust in the justice system.
Addressing the members, LHCBA President Babar Murtaza Khan criticised the Lahore High Court administration for introducing thumb impressions and a biometric verification system without consulting the Bar. He said the Bar should have been taken into confidence, adding that the new system “discourages litigants and lawyers instead of facilitating them” and is creating unnecessary hurdles in court access. He said the Bar has issued an ultimatum for the biometric system to be withdrawn, warning that otherwise “the public will lose trust in the judiciary.”
The President also condemned the dissolution of the anti-terrorism bench just a week before Eid, alleging that the move was aimed at preventing hearings and paralysing the judiciary. He said this step deprived litigants—particularly political prisoners—of timely access to bail, leading to “unfair judgments and sentences of up to ten years.”
Referring to a security breach incident that occurred a day earlier, the LHCBA President said that instead of targeting lawyers, authorities should hold police and security officials accountable. He stated that security personnel remain preoccupied with protocol duties while ordinary citizens are left vulnerable to threats. He further added that thumb impressions should not be made mandatory for every court application, calling the requirement unnecessary and unjust.
The LHCBA reaffirmed its resolve to oppose both constitutional amendments and any administrative measures that, in their view, compromise judicial autonomy and access to justice.
