Tensions escalated at the GPO Chowk outside the Lahore High Court on Wednesday as lawyers from the Lahore Bar Association (LBA) rallied against the proposed division of civil courts and terrorism cases against the lawyer fraternity, leading to a violent confrontation with law enforcement.
The protest took a chaotic turn when participants attempted to enter the high court premises, prompting clashes between police personnel and lawyers.
According to witnesses, the situation escalated rapidly as both sides engaged in physical altercations. Police resorted to using tear gas shelling and baton-charge to disperse the crowd, leading to further chaos and unrest. The lawyers responded with pelting stones on the police.
Amidst the chaos, at least 10 lawyers were reportedly arrested by the police, including Lahore Bar Association Secretary Rao Tehseen. The administration also shut down the Orange Line train, GPO Chowk. Two lawyers were also arrested during their media talk.
In a bid to control the situation, the police closed all the doors of the high court, effectively sealing off the premises. Additionally, police deployed water cannons to deter the protesting lawyers, resulting in a tense stand-off between the two parties.
SSP (Operations) Ali Raza claimed that the lawyers initiated the clash by pelting stones, after which police started shelling. He added that negotiations with the lawyers' representatives were being held.
At least 10 police officials, including Model Town Superintendent of Police Akhlaqullah Tarar and two station house officers, were injured in the clash with lawyers. The injured personnel were shifted to hospital for medical assistance, he added.
Three of the injured police personnel were shifted to Ganga Ram Hospital for treatment. These included Anarkali SHO Akhtar Ali, who sustained severe head injuries, and Constable Subhan.
An injured citizen, Mukhtar, was also undergoing treatment at the hospital, where the medical superintendent said immediate medical aid was being provided to all the injured. Hafiz Moeen said the operation theatre doctors and other staff are on alert in the emergency department.
DIG (Operations) Faisal Kamran said the police force stopped the lawyers from going towards the high court. In the ensuing clashes, officials were injured, against which action would be taken according to law. He further alleged that police officers and personnel were injured because of the stone-pelting by lawyers.
The DIG said a case would be registered on behalf of the police force, adding that the police displayed maximum restraint. He further said that security had been beefed up and both sides would try to solve the problem.
Countrywide protest tomorrow
The lawyer community has announced a countrywide protest over the issue of division of courts at the tehsil level. Senior lawyer Ahsan Bhoon said the Pakistan Bar Council had given a call for a strike on Thursday, and that no lawyer will appear in the courts anywhere in the country.
He said the lawyers will take out rallies across the country tomorrow.
LBA General Secretary Rana Naeem said they wanted to hold the General House meeting inside the court and would not leave till then. "We have informed the Lahore CCPO that we want to peacefully go inside and hold a general house meeting. We are peaceful people, but one of our senior lawyers, has been injured due to the police violence," he claimed.
The lawyers said they would formulate their next action plan after going inside the court, adding that the SSP (operations) and the CCPO had conveyed their message to the court authorities. The lawyers have demanded the withdrawal of the notification regarding the appointment of civil judges in the Model Town court, and that all the courts should be established in one place.
They further said they faced difficulties in accessing the courts as well as transportation.
Senior lawyer Ahsan Bhoon said their protest was legal, and that they would protest according to the law. "We talk about the Constitution and the rule of law. We will go to the bar room of the high court," he remarked.
CM Maryam's instructions
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has instructed the provincial police chief against using force on the lawyers. She said the lawyers should resolve their issues amicably with the Lahore High Court. "For the protection of citizens, confrontation should be avoided," she suggested, as a fresh round of clashes erupted outside the court.
The police force once again fired water cannon and tear gas shells to disperse the crowd, as the protesting lawyers continued to pelt the security forces with stones.
