The legal fraternity on Thursday boycotted the courts to protest against the elevation of Justice Ayesha Malik to the Supreme Court, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The lawyers community demanded that a senior-most judge should be appointed in the apex court.

This is for the second time after the lawyers’ movement launched against former military dictator General (r) Pervez Musharraf for the independence of judiciary that such a unity is being seen in the ranks of legal fraternity as like in other courts across the country, the Supreme Court (SC) lawyers too boycotted the court proceedings on Thursday in protest against the ‘likely elevation’ of Lahore High Court (LHC) Judge Justice Ayesha Malik to the post of SC judgel.

Security was tightened as heavy continents of police took their positions as lawyers broke away from the long-held tradition, congregated outside the apex court building and shouted slogans to register their protest against the likely appointment of Justice Ayesha as SC judge.

Police also barred the entry of people through the court’s main gate.

Also Read: NCA expresses full confidence in security of strategic assets of Pakistan 

Also Read: Positive, real change around the corner, claims Maryam Nawaz

This is for the second time in the country’s history that the Supreme Court lawyers have refused to appear before the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Gulzar Ahmed to voice their dissent. Last time the spectacle had been witnessed when former CJP Iftikhar Chaudhry had led the campaign against Musharraf.

Despite the strike, the lawyers’ convention will be held today in Islamabad as scheduled.

The lawyers’ strike on Thursday (September 9) coincides with the Judicial Commission’s meeting which the CJP had convened on August 12 to mull over the elevation of LHC’s judge Justice Ayesha Malik to the SC.

Commenting on the expected appointment of Justice Ayesha, the Sindh High Court Bar Association (SHCBA) had on August 13 said appointing ‘favourites’ as apex court judges was against the rules as well as the constitution.

SHCBA President Barrister Salahuddin Ahmed had said admitted Justice Ayesha was a competent judge. “But elevating a judge, who is fourth on the seniority list, to the SC judge is against the spirit of court verdicts,” he added.

Meanwhile, CJP Justice Gulzar Ahmed is scheduled to chair the meeting of the Judicial Commission in Islamabad today afternoon to consider the appointment of judges to the Supreme Court.

Reporters Saud Butt and Amanat Gishkori