Attack on the Supreme Court of Pakistan (1997)
At the time, Nawaz Sharif was serving his second term as Prime Minister.
A confrontation had developed between Nawaz Sharif’s government and Chief Justice Sajjad Ali Shah.
The Chief Justice had taken contempt of court proceedings against the Prime Minister.
This triggered an aggressive response from Sharif’s supporters in his party — Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) (PML-N).
On 28 November 1997, a mob of PML-N activists stormed the Supreme Court building in Islamabad while the Chief Justice was hearing a contempt case against Nawaz Sharif.
The crowd broke through security barriers, vandalized property, and shouted slogans inside the courtroom.
The judges had to suspend proceedings and escape to safety.
The event was widely condemned as an attack on the judiciary and democracy.
The Chief Justice Sajjad Ali Shah was later removed after internal divisions in the Supreme Court.
The crisis eventually led to President Farooq Leghari’s resignation on 2 December 1997, citing loss of moral authority.
A confrontation had developed between Nawaz Sharif’s government and Chief Justice Sajjad Ali Shah.
The Chief Justice had taken contempt of court proceedings against the Prime Minister.
This triggered an aggressive response from Sharif’s supporters in his party — Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) (PML-N).
On 28 November 1997, a mob of PML-N activists stormed the Supreme Court building in Islamabad while the Chief Justice was hearing a contempt case against Nawaz Sharif.
The crowd broke through security barriers, vandalized property, and shouted slogans inside the courtroom.
The judges had to suspend proceedings and escape to safety.
The event was widely condemned as an attack on the judiciary and democracy.
The Chief Justice Sajjad Ali Shah was later removed after internal divisions in the Supreme Court.
The crisis eventually led to President Farooq Leghari’s resignation on 2 December 1997, citing loss of moral authority.