Pakistan’s judiciary under fire for failing to address D-Chowk violence

By Muzaffar Ali
The recent D-Chowk Massacre in Islamabad has raised concerns about the judiciary’s inaction. Senator Raja Nasir in his tweet on Friday lamented that the judiciary has taken no notice of the massacre, implying that their hands are tied. He questioned where the people of Pakistan could go for justice when the courts are closed to them, protest routes are blocked, and those who dare to protest are met with gunfire.

The D-Chowk incident, which occurred from November 24 to 27, 2024, was a brutal crackdown by Pakistani security forces on supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The protesters were demanding Khan’s release and opposing the Sharif government. The government responded with force, deploying the Pakistan Army under Article 245 with orders to shoot protesters on sight .

The violence resulted in significant casualties, with reports suggesting that at least 20 people were killed, and hundreds injured ¹. However, the government denied using live rounds, and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi claimed that there were no fatalities during the law enforcement action .

The incident has sparked widespread outrage, with many criticizing the government’s draconian response. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party described the incident as a “massacre,” and PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja claimed that around 20 supporters had been killed .

The D-Chowk Massacre has also raised concerns about the role of the judiciary in Pakistan. Many are questioning why the judiciary has not taken notice of the incident, and why the government has not been held accountable for its actions.

In this context, Senator Raja Nasir’s statement highlights the need for the judiciary to take notice of the D-Chowk Massacre and ensure that those responsible are held accountable. It also underscores the importance of protecting the rights of citizens and ensuring that the government does not use force to suppress dissent.