LAHORE – The Lahore Bar Association (LBA) has announced a complete strike on Monday, 6 April 2026, in protest against the implementation of the new biometric verification system for court filings, which lawyers say has been enforced without consultation and is creating serious operational difficulties.
The decision was taken during an emergency meeting of the LBA Executive Committee held on Saturday, chaired by President Irfan Hayat Bajwa and attended by all senior office bearers. During the meeting, members strongly criticized the government’s unilateral introduction of the biometric system and the absence of proper SOPs developed in consultation with the Bar. They argued that the system has created unnecessary hardship for lawyers, litigants, and legal authorities, especially because NADRA verification facilities have not been provided inside courts.
The LBA also expressed concern over the requirement of biometric verification for accused persons who are already in judicial custody in post-arrest bail matters, calling the procedure unlawful and contrary to criminal procedure rules. The Association warned that if the biometric system is not withdrawn or amended to incorporate the Bar’s proposals, the strike will continue beyond Monday. Lawyers will not appear in court, and no legal proceedings will be allowed during the protest.
