Tensions flared at the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday when a protest by lawyers turned chaotic after heated exchanges between senior lawyer Intizar Hussain Panjotha and Islamabad High Court Bar Association (IHCBA) President Wajid Gilani.

The argument, sparked when participants were told to avoid sloganeering, nearly escalated into a physical clash.

Speaking at a press conference later, Bar President Wajid Gilani condemned the incident, saying that while he would have forgiven a personal attack, action must be taken as the assault targeted both the president and secretary of the Bar.

“We are not proxies for any judge. We stand for the rule of law and supremacy of the Constitution. We come here to earn respect,” Gilani asserted, calling on lawyers like Zainab Janjua and Iman Mazari to work towards strengthening institutions.

During a joint press conference with the Bar’s cabinet, Gilani directly accused PTI-affiliated lawyers Naeem Panjotha, Zainab Janjua, Fatiullah Barki, and Iman Mazari of carrying out the assault, claiming that Intizar Panjotha and others were armed with pistols at the time.

He stressed that the Bar had no personal agenda, was united in supporting all judges of the IHC, and underlined: “For the survival and integrity of the country, it is essential to appreciate its defenders.”

Bar Secretary Manzoor Jajja said cases under terrorism laws would be registered against those involved in the violence, and their licences would be recommended for cancellation through the Islamabad Bar Council. He added that Justice Tariq Jahangiri’s degree issue should not have been left pending for so long.

Vice Chairman of the Islamabad Bar Council, Naseer Kayani, warned against exploiting Jahangiri’s case for personal agendas, saying the council would not allow such moves.

He announced that lawyers involved in the attack would be barred from entering the High Court.

Kayani stressed that the Bar Council would suspend the licenses of those implicated once formal complaints are received, declaring: “We will not be blackmailed by anyone.”