The lawyers’ community observed a countrywide strike on Monday against the attack on Parliament House, Prime Minister House and Pakistan Television (PTV) headquarters by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) protestors and police’s brutal crackdown on women, children and journalists in Islamabad.
In response to Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) and Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA)’s call, lawyers of Sindh Bar Council, Sindh High Court and Karachi Bar observed a complete strike. The lawyers boycotted court proceedings in SHC, City Court, Malir Court and other lower courts and judicial affairs remained at a standstill.
Thousands of cases were postponed, irking those awaiting hearing of cases in courts.
SHCBA President Zaid K Jatoi said that the assault of police on journalists, women and children is highly condemnable. Karachi Bar President Barrister Salahuddin also condemned the attack on Parliament House by PTI and PAT protestors and the police torture that followed.
LAHORE LAWYERS WILL OPPOSE UNCONSTITUTIONAL STEP IN CAPITAL:
Meanwhile, following the appeal of Pakistan Bar Council, lawyers boycotted courts in Lahore resulting in the adjournment of 7,000 pending cases. The lawyers did not attend case hearings in any of the courts. The lawyers said that the government should refrain from exercising authority and instead should solve the political impasse through dialogue with the leaders of the protesting parties. They claimed that they would take to the streets if any unconstitutional or unlawful steps are taken in Islamabad.
PESHAWAR LAWYERS BELIEVE PROTESTS DAMAGING ECONOMY:
The lawyers’ community in Peshawar also observed complete strike. The lawyers were of the view that the sit-in protests, apart from causing difficulties to the people, are resulting in massive damage to the country’s economy. The lawyers warned that they will go on a rampage if any unconstitutional measures were adopted.
Balochistan Bar Association also issued a strike call against targeted killings of journalists in Quetta and the police assault on journalists in Islamabad during the protest on Sunday. Lawyers in Balochistan boycotted court proceedings against the targeted killing of journalists Arshad Mastoi, Abdul Rasool and Muhammad Younas on August 28. The lawyers also condemned the police attack on journalists covering the clash between the PTI and PAT protestors and the police in Islamabad.
Responding to the call of Balochistan Bar Association, lawyers of Balochistan High Court, session courts and district courts boycotted court proceedings and raised black flags in bar rooms.
Perhaps condemning Chief Justice for his hypocrisy would be a better bet for these lawyers. May be condemning themselves for making a life out of sucking the blood of ordinary citizens in a corrupt system makes good sense. How would these law men expect change to come about?
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