Former chief justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa faced a huge crowd of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protesters outside London’s Middle Temple on Tuesday night.
Former CJP Isa’s car was stopped and banged upon by a group of PTI protesters on Tuesday by PTI protesters.
The protest was called by PTI UK leading activist Shayan Ali and his mother Sadaf Mumtaz Malik
Details of the incident
At around 10:20 PM, a car provided by the Pakistan High Commission carrying Qazi Faez Isa emerged from the exit of a temple, where PTI protesters, led by Shayan Ali and his mother, Sadaf Mumtaz Malik, launched an attack. The group struck the vehicle with fists and kicks, accompanied by loud banging. Among those reportedly involved were Aisha Ali Qureshi, Sadia Faheem, Faheem Khan, Noman Hussain, Ijaz Ali, and others, according to diplomatic sources.
In a viral video, Shayan Ali stated, “Mr. Qazi Faez Isa had lowered his head, but we caught him. His car hit a protester, and we will register a case against him and the police. One of the protesters was hit. This is a violation of human rights. We had promised to catch Justice Qazi Faez Isa, and we delivered our promise.”
Aisha Qureshi commented, “Qazi Faez was hiding his face, he’s so shameless. You disgraced Pakistan. Today we disgraced you.”
Sadia Faheem added, “He was hiding his face, which means he has done something wrong. Why was he hiding his face?”
PTI activists celebrated after attacking Qazi Isa and wife in the car, lowering their head.
Shayan Ali added: “Qazi Faez Isa was hiding from us. We caught him. Look at this, he is the chief justice hiding from us. We will hunt people like him wherever they go. We promised to catch Nawaz Sharif and we did that. We caught Qazi Faez Isa. Anyone corrupt who comes to the UK and works against the rule of law, we will make their lives a hell. We have received justice today for Imran Khan. Our leader has been wronged and we stood for him. This is our democratic right.”
On Wednesday, Pakistan’s High Commissioner to the UK announced that a case will be filed against those involved in the attack on Justice Qazi Faez Isa’s vehicle. “What happened to Qazi Faez Isa is unfortunate. We will pursue action through diplomatic means against those involved in this attack. There are a dozen individuals who engage in repeated hooliganism, and they do not represent Pakistan. Such behavior deserves condemnation.”
Following the viral spread of videos of the incident, Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi strongly condemned the attack on former Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa and the Pakistan High Commission’s vehicle in London.
Minister Naqvi directed NADRA to immediately identify the attackers through video footage, promising swift legal action and the filing of an FIR in Pakistan. He also stated that the attackers’ ID cards and passports would be blocked, and the process to revoke their citizenship would be initiated, with a proposal to be sent to the cabinet for approval.
A spokesperson for PTI UK clarified to the media that Shayan Ali has no official connection to PTI, stating, “He acts for self-publicity and does not follow PTI discipline. Our protest ended at 7 PM, and all officials left. Shayan Ali stayed behind for his own purposes, attacking the car with his associates, a private matter for which PTI UK holds no responsibility. We oppose Justice Faez Isa but do not condone violence. Shayan Ali and his group also attempted to attack Judge Dilawar Humayum in Hull, tarnishing PTI’s name. They are more interested in boosting their TikTok, X, and Instagram followings, against the principles taught by Imran Khan. This is a conspiracy against PTI.”
Justice Qazi Faez Isa, who retired as Pakistan’s Chief Justice on October 25, arrived in London for an honorary ceremony at the prestigious Middle Temple, becoming the first Pakistani judge elected as a bencher. He had written to the Middle Temple administration requesting the event be rescheduled after his retirement, leading to its confirmation for October 29.
The Middle Temple, founded in the 14th century, is one of London’s four historic Inns of Court, along with Gray’s Inn, Lincoln’s Inn, and Inner Temple. These institutions provide legal training and license new members of the profession, playing a significant role in the British legal system for centuries. Justice Isa, who also studied law at the Middle Temple, follows in the footsteps of his father, Qazi Isa, also an alumnus of this esteemed institution.
