LAHORE(National Times)-The Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) and the Lahore Bar Association (LBA) on Wednesday disapproved the transfer of three judges of the Islamabad High Court, announcing to challenge the move before the Supreme Court.

At a joint press conference held at the LHCBA, the sitting and former office-bearers of both associations, currently led by the Hamid Khan-led professional group, expressed their concern over the manner in which the judges were being transferred.

Senator Hamid Khan said even the ordinary civil servants were not treated like this in the service. He said the move to transfer the high court judges caused disappointment among the legal fraternity.

He alleged that the transfers amounted to an attack on the judiciary.

He stated that the lawyers did not accept the concept of a separate constitutional court. He asserted that in most jurisdictions the Supreme Court itself functions as the constitutional court.

LHCBA President Babar Murtaza said the judges’ transfers were against the Constitution and judicial independence.

He stated that recent constitutional amendments had enhanced the executive’s interference in the judiciary. He alleged that the government now had the power to alter seniority among judges.

LBA President Irfan Hayat Bajwa termed the move one of “the darkest” in Pakistan’s judicial history.

He also criticised the delay in hearing of petitions against the 26th and 27th constitutional amendments. He noted that it has now become evident that the chief justice had limited authority.