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On Wednesday, a group of police intervened and apprehended multiple attorneys following a disturbance outside the Lahore High Court (LHC) when the legal practitioners sought entry into the court premises.
The rally, orchestrated by lawyers from Aiwan-e-Adl to the LHC, aimed to voice dissent against the relocation of civil courts to Model Town Kutcheri and alleged terrorism accusations leveled against certain legal professionals.
Tensions flared at GPO Chowk, culminating in a clash between law enforcement and lawyers. Responding to police actions, the lawyers barricaded GPO Chowk and LHC entrances, resorting to hurling stones at law enforcement personnel.
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Subsequently, the police countered with baton charges, tear gas, water cannons, and shelling to disperse the agitated crowd and restore order. Several lawyers were reportedly detained during the chaos, with Model Town SP Akhlaq Tarar and Anarkali and Ichhra SHOs sustaining injuries.
A police spokesperson emphasized the prohibition against individuals taking the law into their own hands. The skirmish disrupted traffic along Mall Road and GPO Chowk, causing inconvenience to commuters.
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Moreover, police apprehended numerous lawyers from court premises. The lawyers declared intentions to escalate their protest province-wide if their demands remained unaddressed.
The SSP operations clarified that police resorted to shelling only after lawyers initiated stone-throwing without provocation.
A temporary resolution was reached through discussions between Lahore High Court Bar Association officials and police representatives led by DIG operations and SSP operations. However, clashes reignited despite the purported agreement, prompting police to utilize water cannons and shelling. Consequently, several lawyers and seven policemen sustained injuries.
Some lawyers sought medical assistance at Mayo and General hospitals for first-aid.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz condemned the violence against lawyers and instructed the Punjab IG to refrain from exerting excessive force. Via social media platform 'X', she urged lawyers to pursue amicable resolutions, cautioned against violence towards citizens, and mandated public safety measures.
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The Lawyer Joint Action Committee Chairman, Ahsan Bhoon, has announced a nationwide strike and rallies slated for Thursday, coinciding with May 9. This call to action comes amidst ongoing protests in Lahore, where lawyers are advocating for two primary grievances.
Firstly, lawyers oppose the decision by the LHC Chief Justice to transfer certain courts to Model Town, as communicated through a notice. They are pressing for the annulment of this directive.
Secondly, lawyers are seeking the dismissal of FIRs lodged against some of their peers under terrorism charges. These demands underscore the broader concerns within the legal community regarding judicial decisions and the protection of their professional interests.