A deadly terrorist assault on the district and sessions courts complex in Islamabad’s G-11 sector has triggered a national outcry from Pakistan’s legal community. The attack, which killed multiple people and injured dozens—including lawyers and court staff—exposed severe lapses in security at what should have been a high-protection judicial site.
The Islamabad Bar Council (IBC) condemned the bombing as a “cowardly and barbaric” strike on the justice system and announced a complete boycott of court proceedings from November 12–14. No lawyers will appear in court during this period as part of a collective protest and mourning. The Rawalpindi District Bar Association joined the strike, calling the incident a tragic sign of the state’s failure to protect judicial institutions.
Bar leaders demanded a transparent investigation into how such a major breach occurred and called for accountability from security authorities. In response, local authorities introduced a new security plan, including stricter entry checks, walk-through gates, and limits on unauthorized access to court premises.
The attack highlights not only Pakistan’s deteriorating security environment but also the heightened vulnerability of legal professionals who continue to operate on the front lines of justice amid escalating threats.