In the movement for judicial restoration, some individuals seized the opportunity to join politically.
The number of junior lawyers nationwide has significantly surpassed that of senior lawyers. Some juniors have displayed unprofessional behavior, including disrespect towards judges, improper conduct with clients in court, and particularly with police and judicial staff. This behavior has raised concerns among the courts and senior lawyers, who have placed blame on juniors, yet the non-legal activities among some have not diminished. Some juniors have even clashed with lower court judges, with arguments escalating to the use of offensive language towards judges, causing frustration among senior lawyers as well.
About five years ago, I discussed this issue with a senior lawyer at Aiwan-e-Adl in Lahore. He mentioned that due to unemployment, educated youth who could not secure government jobs often turned to law. Many young people, having completed their BAs, saw their future in law and enrolled in private law colleges, obtaining LL.B. degrees one way or another. They initially attached themselves to senior lawyers, working as their assistants in court, gaining some experience. Those who lacked seriousness eventually began taking small cases with other like-minded juniors.
Senior, experienced lawyers typically take on only major cases, charging fees in the millions. Many of these prominent lawyers, who have also made names in politics, represented their political leaders for free, further popularizing their chambers. Due to their connections with judges, junior lawyers associated with these prominent lawyers found opportunities in the judiciary. These senior lawyers would charge high fees for significant cases but would pass smaller cases to their juniors, providing a means of employment for junior lawyers who catered to low-income clients with smaller fees.
Juniors also found political affiliation opportunities, joining their preferred political parties, which established lawyers’ forums. When these parties came into power, they appointed junior lawyers to various levels of government positions, including prominent roles. Some juniors, through influential chambers, became judges and advanced their careers through political support.
During the judicial restoration movement, some individuals had the chance to participate politically. Following its success, a large number of young people entered the legal field, with some adopting aggressive attitudes. With the increase in junior lawyers, their influence grew within the bar councils, giving them a significant vote bank. Even senior judges began interacting with them, leading to uncomfortable encounters with certain juniors. Junior court judges also faced disrespect from some junior lawyers, with troubling incidents reported. Not only police officers but even their superiors faced physical altercations with junior lawyers, yet police lacked the right to strike like lawyers, so they kept their distance from them. Had these junior lawyers been regulated from the beginning, today’s situation might have been different.
Some juniors successfully secured government positions and benefited from their preferred political affiliations. During the Q-League’s government, excess law officers were appointed in courts. In Sindh, with the PPP’s 16-year rule, junior lawyers affiliated with the ruling party thrived, with many eventually retiring as judges. However, Punjab faced a different situation. In pursuit of political objectives, certain junior lawyers were manipulated, leading to factionalism and division among lawyers and judges. If unemployed youth had been provided jobs, the number of junior lawyers would not have grown excessively, and they would not have had to resort to measures that escalated court issues.