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LAHORE, Jan 15: The lawyers on Monday boycotted proceedings of courts to protest the killing of additional advocate general Arif Bhinder and a young lawyer, Niaz Sindu. A lawyers’ rally was also taken out from Aiwan-i-Adal on the call given by the Lahore Bar Association. The participants marched up to the Punjab Assembly building on The Mall.
Carrying placards and banners inscribed with their demands regarding arrest of the accused, the protestors shouted slogans condemning the government for its failure to ensure the law and order in the provincial metropolis.
LBA president Chaudhry Imran Masood said the state machinery was providing protection only to VVIPs leaving the citizens at the mercy of the law-breakers.
He demanded that the rulers should resign for failing to protect life and property of ordinary people.
He urged the chief justice of Pakistan to take sou motu action against the rulers for their failure in protecting the fundamental rights of citizens. He said the lawyer community would continue the protest till the arrest of the culprits.
Later, the demonstrating lawyers dispersed peacefully.
LHCBA: The Lahore High Court Bar Association also held its general meeting to condemn the killings, and demanded that the government should provide financial assistance and legal protection to the bereaved families.
It also sought immediate arrest of the accused nominated in the FIR, and that the police should keep the bar informed of the progress in the probe into the case.
A joint meeting of the Pakistan Bar Council, the Supreme Court Bar Association, the Punjab Bar Council and the Lahore Bar Association will be held on Tuesday (today) to condole death of two lawyers.
Meanwhile, the SCBA also observed a strike by wearing black armbands.
PBC executive committee chairman Hassan Raza Pasha also held a press conference, deploring the inability of the government to put the `culprits’ behind the bars.
He alleged as the accused were being patronised by some influential people, the police were reluctant to arrest them.
On behalf of the PBC, he gave a three-day ultimatum to the government for arresting the nominated accused.
