POLITICS & POLICY MAKING
A large group of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters and leaders gathered outside London’s Middle Temple on Tuesday evening to protest against former Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa. The former chief justice was attending a distinguished event at the Middle Temple, one of the prestigious Inns of Court in the United Kingdom that oversees the legal training of barristers.
The event was organized to honor new Benchers—senior members of the Inn responsible for governance. Retired Justice Isa, among others, was called to the Bench in a formal ceremony, taking his place at the High Table before delivering a brief speech. Outside the venue, notable PTI leaders and supporters, including Sayed Zulfi Bukhari, Sahibzada Jahangir, and former MNA Maleeka Bokhari, rallied in protest, carrying placards and chanting slogans like “Middle Temple, shame on you!” to express their discontent over Justice Isa’s invitation.
In her speech, Maleeka Bokhari, who had earlier distanced herself from PTI following the violent May 9 events last year, criticized the former CJP's judicial actions against PTI. Barrister Mark Macdonald, a British legal professional, also addressed the gathering, questioning Middle Temple’s decision to honor Justice Isa and calling for it to never happen again.
The protest outside Middle Temple saw heavy police presence, with officers securing the venue's entrance as protesters chanted slogans including “Go Qazi Go!” Witnesses reported that, despite the police presence, some demonstrators attempted to heckle Justice Isa’s family members earlier in the week.
Interior Minister Orders Legal Action
Reacting to the incident, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi stated that vehicles associated with the former CJP and the Pakistan High Commission in London were attacked. Naqvi condemned the lack of security provided to Justice Isa, vowing swift legal action against those responsible for the incident. In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Naqvi directed Pakistan’s National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) to initiate the identification process using available footage. Legal action would include filing an FIR, blocking the attackers’ national identity cards, and canceling their passports.
Naqvi further announced that, where necessary, the citizenship of individuals found guilty in the incident would be immediately revoked. “We cannot remain silent on this incident,” he asserted, underlining the need for accountability in protecting high-profile Pakistani citizens abroad.
The PTI protests underscore the charged political climate in Pakistan and the broader diaspora’s involvement in expressing discontent toward key judicial and political figures.