Legal fraternity rails against emergency proclamation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Lawyers scuffle with police during a protest in Lahore condemning the imposition of emergency rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.—AFP • PBC members question constitutional basis for invoking Articles 232 and 234 • IHCBA describes governor’s rule as an attack on public mandate and provincial autonomy • LHCBA and LBA to challenge the move in Supreme Court • KBA seeks withdrawal of emergency, restoration of…
Legal professionals across Pakistan have vehemently opposed the introduction of emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). The Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) and the Lahore Bar Association (LBA) announced on Monday their intention to challenge the emergency through a constitutional petition at the Supreme Court.
Eight members of the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) released a statement condemning the emergency proclamation, calling for its immediate withdrawal and the restoration of the democratically elected KP government. They argued that the president’s invocation of Articles 232 and 234, based on the prime minister’s and cabinet’s advice, was unlawful and unconstitutional.
Article 232 requires provincial assembly resolution for emergency declarations due to uncontrollable internal disturbances, a condition not met in this situation, while Article 234 permits governor’s rule only when a province cannot function according to the Constitution, which was being complied with by the KP government and assembly.
Separately, the Islamabad High Court Bar Association (IHCBA) denounced the emergency imposition as an assault on public mandate, democratic principles, and provincial autonomy. The association vowed to resist any attempt to suppress the people’s will through administrative means, emphasizing that constitutional supremacy, parliamentary democracy, and provincial autonomy are key tenets of Pakistan’s system.
The Lahore and Islamabad bar associations announced they would file a constitutional challenge in the Supreme Court, arguing that extraordinary measures should not be used to undermine an elected government. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Bar Council (KPBC) further expressed its concern by announcing a “black day” on Tuesday during which it will boycott court proceedings.
They labeled the emergency declaration an extraordinary constitutional measure, urging the courts to uphold the rule of law and protest against the federal government’s actions.
Written by urgent.news from Dawn - Pakistan's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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