Road closures across Islamabad caused by a religious group’s protest disrupted judicial proceedings, as most lawyers were unable to reach the Islamabad High Court on Monday.
As a result, hearings of several scheduled cases were postponed without any proceedings. The court’s division bench, comprising Justice Babar Sattar and Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan, had its cause list cancelled for the day.
The Islamabad High Court Bar Association (IHCBA) issued an official statement noting that all main entry routes into the federal capital were closed due to the ongoing protest, making access to the courts difficult for lawyers.
In the statement, issued by Acting Secretary Imran Ashfaq, the association appealed to the honorable judges not to issue any adverse orders in cases where lawyers could not appear because of the road blockades.
Following the operation against a religious party’s Million March, security was tightened once again in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Police in Rawalpindi were placed on high alert, with officers deployed at key intersections and checkpoints.
While major roads, including Murree Road, remain open for traffic, the Faizabad and Shamsabad intersections are still closed.
Meanwhile, several universities announced sudden closures, cancelling evening classes and sending students home early. The abrupt decision caused confusion and inconvenience for parents and students struggling with transport disruptions and last-minute schedule changes.
