Lawyers' organizations across Pakistan are observing a nationwide strike in protest against Wednesday's incidents of alleged violence against lawyers in Lahore. Meanwhile, a first information report (FIR) on the issue of a clash between police and lawyers at Lahore’s GPO Chowk.
The call for action by the Pakistan Bar Council comes amid the fraternity's protests against the issue of division of civil courts in Lahore.
In Lahore, the epicentre of the protests, lawyers' organizations have called for a strike to denounce the violence perpetrated against their colleagues. A joint general house meeting is taking place at the Lahore High Court Bar, with leaders from various legal bodies, including the PBC, Punjab Bar Council and others, participating to deliberate on the future course of action.
A heavy contingent of police was stationed at the entrance and exit gates of the Lahore High Court.
Also Read: Bar associations to observe complete boycott of courts across country on May 9
Chaired by LHC Bar President Asad Manzoor Butt and attended by Punjab Bar Council Vice Chairman Kamran Bashir Mughal, the meeting aims to formulate a cohesive strategy to address the challenges facing the legal fraternity. Discussions are centred on condemning the recent incidents of violence and charting out a roadmap for future advocacy efforts.
FIR registered
Meanwhile, an FIR was registered into the issue of the clash between policemen and lawyers at GPO Chowk, Lahore on May 8. The case was registered at the Old Anarkali police station and includes provisions of road block, vandalism, and interference in government work.
The FIR claimed that a large number of lawyers attacked the police, because of which five officials were injured.
Strikes across country
Meanwhile, in Islamabad, lawyers are found to be absent from the district courts, due to which litigants are facing troubles. A large number of police officials is present in the district court, but the lawyers are absent. The hearings of cases are being adjourned without proceeding.
In Chichawatni, Quetta, Peshawar, and Karachi, similar scenes unfold as lawyers unite in condemnation of the violence witnessed against their fellows in Lahore. From complete court boycotts to waving black flags in protest, lawyers' organizations demand swift action against those responsible for the attacks on their colleagues.
Chichawatni Bar President Mansha Bath and General Secretary Zohaib Butt said the cases against lawyers under serious provisions and violent actions against them were condemnable.
Lawyers across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are not appearing in courts. The Peshawar Bar Council joint secretary said there was a boycott of courts against the violence on lawyers in Lahore. He strongly condemned the violence, and said if the lawyers are not released, they will protest across the country.
Black flags are being waved in subordinate courts, including the Balochistan High Court. Lawyers' organizations across the province are demanding action against those responsible for the violence.
Also Read: Several lawyers arrested as violent clash erupts with police outside LHC
In Karachi, the attendance of lawyers in subordinate courts, including Sindh High Court, is lesser than usual. The high court judges then started conducting judicial affairs. The president of the Sindh High Court Bar Association appealed to the judges to suspend court proceedings.
He said the Pakistan Bar Council had given a strike call across the country, urging that courts should also cooperate with the lawyers. "We will adjourn the hearing of the rest of the cases but hear those related to missing persons," said the court.
The Pakistan Bar Council's nationwide strike amplifies the call for justice and accountability, with legal bodies urging courts to support their cause by adjourning hearings until their demands are met.
As lawyers unite in solidarity against violence and injustice, their collective voice resonates across Pakistan, demanding swift and decisive action to safeguard the rights and dignity of legal professionals.
On Wednesday, tensions escalated at the GPO Chowk outside the Lahore High Court 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.
