SCBA backs call for new provinces, calls it 'step forward' for better governance

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) — a premier lawyers’ body — on Friday voiced support for the controversial proposal recently put forward by Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi regarding the creation of new provinces in the country. Recently, while addressing the Pakistan Economic Summit 2026, the interior minister had urged all political parties to resolve various national issues, including the question of creating new provinces. He termed this the only solution to improving the country’s overall condition, which he said had “collapsed”. Speaking at the Full Court Reference held at the Supreme Court (SC) in honour of Justice Musarrat Hilali on the occasion of her laying down her judicial robes, SCBA President Haroonur Rashid said the association endorsed and supported the suggestion to create new provinces. Headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi, the reference was attended by SC judges both in person and via video link. The reference was also attended by Additional Attorney General (AAG) Chaudhry Aamir Rehman, representatives of the SCBA and the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC), senior members of the legal fraternity, court officers, media representatives and others. “The association believes that any constitutional measure for the creation of more provinces would be a step forward towards an enhanced governance system through devolved and equitable administration at the grassroots level, the creation of equal opportunities for parallel economic development, and stronger political stability in the country,” the SCBA president said. He added that the creation of more provinces would also improve the standard of living by addressing the economic challenges faced by the people of the country. Meanwhile, in its 250th meeting held in Islamabad on Friday, the PBC — the apex body of the legal fraternity — said it firmly believed that all constitutional matters must be addressed strictly within the framework of the Constitution. The PBC deliberated upon the issue of the creation of new administrative units and provinces in the country. It reaffirmed through a resolution that the legal fraternity was committed to upholding the Constitution, and that members were of the unanimous view that the question of creating new provinces should be considered in accordance with the constitutional principles and procedures.

The resolution emphasised that all political parties, irrespective of their political differences, should act in the “larger national interest” and initiate a “comprehensive and meaningful dialogue” for the betterment of the country and its people. The PBC resolved that, if the establishment of new provinces was deemed necessary, it must be carried out strictly in accordance with the Constitution through due parliamentary process and national consensus. The PBC also authorised its Vice Chairman Pir Muhammad Masood Chishti and the chairman of its Executive Committee to organise a national seminar by inviting leaders of all political parties represented in Parliament, as well as representatives of provincial bar councils, for meaningful dialogue and to develop a broad-based national consensus. The seminar would aim to strengthen the federation, promote good governance, ensure equitable administrative and economic development, and improve the welfare of the common man. On the other hand, the SCBA president said the association would continue supporting the 26th and 27th Constitutional Amendments. He said the association believed that the amendments were an “important step towards ensuring parliamentary sovereignty, enhancing the separation of powers, and realising the concept that the judiciary should focus more on its fundamental constitutional responsibility of prompt dispensation of justice”. He also requested President Asif Ali Zardari to immediately give his assent to the recent appointment and confirmation of the high court judges recommended by the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) during its meeting on July 20 and 21. “SCBA believes that the appointment procedure adopted through the recent amendments were more balanced, comprehensive and transparent, since both the members of the judiciary and the Parliament were part of such a judicial process,” he said. Rashid also expressed his trust and confidence in the performance of the JCP, saying that its recent decisions regarding the appointment of judges to the high courts were based on merit, as “competent individuals” had been recommended for the highest judicial offices. Therefore, pendency in the grant of assent by the president may result in harming the Constitution as well as the interests of the country, he said. During the reference, the AAG, SCBA president and PBC vice chairman paid rich tributes to Justice Hilali’s professional integrity, judicial acumen and unwavering commitment to the administration of justice. They acknowledged the respect and admiration she earned across the bench and the bar through her principled conduct, independence and distinguished service, and conveyed their heartfelt best wishes for the next chapter of her life. In his address, CJP Afridi paid tribute to Justice Hilali, describing her judicial journey as one defined by “courage, perseverance and an unwavering commitment to justice”. He observed that her career was remarkable not only for the high judicial offices she held, but also for the barriers she broke and the enduring example she set for generations of lawyers, particularly women aspiring to leadership roles within the legal profession. “Justice Hilali’s career stands as a beacon of the growing participation and leadership of women in Pakistan’s justice sector,” Afridi said. Her professional journey, he noted, demonstrated that integrity, dedication and professional excellence remained the “true hallmarks of judicial leadership” and could inspire future generations of women to pursue careers of distinction in law and justice. The CJP also acknowledged Justice Hilali’s valuable contributions to strengthening the principles of judicial responsibility, institutional integrity, and public service throughout her tenure. PBC condemns NCCIA’s detaining of Islamabad-based journalists The PBC, in its Friday meeting, also strongly condemned the actions of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) in issuing notices to and detaining Islamabad-based journalists under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca). The council demanded that the government should immediately withdraw all such illegal notices and refrain from any actions that undermine the constitutional guarantees of freedom of expression and freedom of the press. “The legal fraternity has always stood in support of an independent and free media as a fundamental pillar of democracy and the rule of law, and will continue to oppose any attempt to intimidate, harass, or curtail the independence of the media,” it said.