January 25, 2008	Friday	Muharram 15, 1429

ISLAMABAD, Jan 24: Police fired tear gas and resorted to baton charge on a procession of lawyers from five district bar councils, when they tried to march towards the residence of pre-PCO chief justice of Pakistan here on Thursday.

As a result, scores of lawyers suffered injuries, while six police personnel including a lady constable were also injured.

The procession of over 500 lawyers of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Chakwal and Attock moved towards the Judges Colony at around 11:30am to meet Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry and express solidarity with him.

A heavy contingent of police in riot gear, who were deployed behind barricades and barbed wires at the Balochistan House, blocked their way.

There was a brief exchange of harsh words between the lawyers and the law-enforcers, when the former tried to enter the colony. The lawyers asked the senior police and administration officials to allow their representatives to meet the deposed chief justice but their request was turned down.

At this, the lawyers started chanting anti-government slogans in an emotionally charged manner. Scores of police personnel in anti-riot gear came forward and fired at least six tear gas shells and also resorted to baton charge on the lawyers to disperse them.

One of the tear gas shells landed among the police personnel due to which some of them fell unconscious.

The brawl between the law-enforcers and the lawyers continued for about one-and-a-half hours. As a result, at least 25 lawyers suffered multiple injuries including head injury and skull fracture. Four policemen also suffered injuries to their hands and legs.

Earlier, the lawyers of Islamabad Bar Association gathered in the parking area of the district and sessions court at around 10am and then moved to Jinnah Supper Market, where the lawyers and presidents of Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal and Jhelum bar associations joined them.

The participants were holding placards and banners inscribed with anti-government and anti-Musharraf slogans. Later, the participants moved to the house of Aitzaz Ahsan, president Supreme Court Bar Association, at Sector F/6, to express solidarity with him.

They stayed there for about half-an-hour and delivered speeches before moving to the Judicial Colony.

A senior police official told Dawn that a case had been registered against the lawyers for creating law and order situation, violating Section 144, attacking police personnel, breaking barricades and snatching anti-riot gear from the police.

Correspondent from Attock adds: Lawyers of Attock observed complete strike on Thursday in connection with their ongoing struggle for restoration of deposed judges and Constitution.

The lawyers boycotted the court and remained within the district bar and their respective chambers.

Meanwhile a delegation of District Bar Association (DBA) Attock, comprising its president Rana Afsar Ali Khan, general secretary Malik Israr Advocate, Sheikh Ahsanuddin Advocate, Ejaz Ali Saddique, Chaudhry Akhtar, Mohammad Ishfaq and Sadaqat Khan also participated in the lawyers’ rally in the federal capital.