Lawyers protest PTI, PAT attacks countrywide | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

Lawyers protest PTI, PAT attacks countrywide

Pakistan Press Foundation

ISLAMABAD: Lawyers observed a countrywide strike on Monday to protest attacks on Parliament House, Prime Minister House and PTV building in Islamabad by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) protestors and the brutal police crackdown on women, children and journalists.

Lawyers in Karachi boycotted courts against attack on state buildings by PTI and PAT protestors and the police torture that followed. Judicial affairs remained suspended and those awaiting hearing of cases had to return disgusted.

In response to the call of Pakistan Bar Council and Supreme Court Bar Association, the lawyers of Sindh Bar Council, Sindh High Court and Karachi Bar observed a complete strike.

Lawyers boycotted hearings in Sindh High Court, City Court, Malir Court and other lower courts. Thousands of cases have been postponed. President of Sindh High Court Bar Association Zahid K Jatoi said the assault of police on journalists, women and children was highly condemnable. President of Karachi Bar Barrister Salahuddin condemned attack on Parliament House by PTI and PAT protestors and the police torture as an aftermath.

Balochistan Bar Association also issued a strike call against the target killing of journalists in Quetta and the police assault on journalists in Islamabad.They boycotted court proceedings against the target killing of journalists Arshad Mastoi, Abdul Rasool and Muhammad Younas on August 28.

They also condemned police attack on journalists during the Islamabad protest while covering a clash between the PTI and PAT protestors and the police. In response to Balochistan Bar Association, the lawyers of high court, session courts and district courts also boycotted court hearings and raised black flags in the bar rooms.

DI Khan District Bar Association also observed complete strike against attack by Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) protesters on Parliament House and other government buildings.

Observing strike on the call of Pakistan Bar Council and Supreme Court Bar Association, lawyers stayed away from court proceedings and wore black bands around their arms to condemn attack on Parliament House and other official buildings in the federal capital. — Agencies

Our correspondent from Lahore adds: The legal fraternity Monday observed strike to protest a brutal attack on media persons as well as the PTI and PAT protesters by police in Islamabad claiming the lives of four people and leaving hundreds injured.

The Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) and Lahore Bar Association (LBA) observed the strike on the call of Punjab Bar Council.Lawyers boycotted courts; however, some of them appeared before the Lahore High Court. Subordinate courts staff fixed next dates for cases’ proceedings due to lawyers’ absence.

The LBA office-bearers condemned a brutal attack on media persons and PTI and PAT protesters. They said the protesters remained in Islamabad for more than 16 days but no violence occurred. They said innocent protesters were killed and injured that was a bad omen for democracy.

They said political issues should be resolved through talks instead of bullets. The further said Pakistan could not afford martial law and it was the job of politicians to avoid paving way for the military rule by showing immaturity in resolving the current crisis. The LHCBA office-bearers condemned PTI chief Imran Khan for leveling allegations against their leaders. They also slammed an attack on the PTV building in Islamabad by the protesters.

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