Lawyers Welfare and Protection Act, 2023: IHC issues notices to elected bodies of lawyers

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) issued notices to elected bodies of the lawyers’ community in a petition seeking the implementation of the Lawyers Welfare and Protection Act, 2023.

A single bench of IHC comprising Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir on Monday heard a petition moved by a lawyer, Syed Mahfoozul Hassan, through his counsel, Shahid Mehmood Khokhar, and directed the respondents to submit a report in this matter.

The petitioner has invoked the constitutional jurisdiction of this court under Article 199 of the Constitution, seeking implementation of the Lawyers Welfare and Protection Act, 2023.

During the hearing, counsel for the petitioner contended that the Act provides a comprehensive legal regime for the protection, welfare, and independence of advocates and constitutes a fundamental pillar of the legal protection and welfare framework.

He further contended that despite certain meetings held by the bar councils and other elected bodies of the legal fraternity, has failed and remain reluctant to implement the provisions of the Act, 2023, thereby frustrating its very object and purpose.

The counsel further contended that, to date, operational guidelines, eligibility criteria, or disbursement mechanisms have not been framed; as a result, the families of martyred advocates continue to remain in a state of uncertainty and deprivation.

He submitted that no structured or organized training programmes have been initiated for police officers, prosecutors, investigating officers, hospital administrations, or banking officials to ensure effective implementation of the Act. The counsel further submitted that since the enactment of the Act, incidents of harassment, intimidation, and physical violence against advocates, falling squarely within the ambit and contemplation of the Act, have continued unabated.

After hearing the arguments, the IHC bench issued notice to the respondents to file a report and para-wise comments in the matter within a fortnight.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026