February 24, 2008	Sunday	Safar 16, 1429

GUJRANWALA, Feb 23: Lawyers on Saturday boycotted courts in protest against police action against their colleagues in Karachi and Islamabad and house arrest of Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President Chaudhry Aitzaz Ahsan once again.

In Gujranwala, protesters gathered at the bar room and condemned police action against lawyers in Karachi and Islamabad. Led by district bar president Malik Shaukat Awan, the protesting lawyers demanding restoration of all deposed judges and release of lawyers. They vowed to continue their movement till the acceptance of their demands.

In Sahiwal, lawyers boycotted courts and wore black armbands to protest Ahsan’s house arrest and police action against lawyers. At a press conference later, the district bar president and the general-secretary condemned the use of force against the lawyers.

However, the lawyers vowed not to confront the government-in-waiting and continue their struggle peacefully.

Also in Bahawalpur, lawyers boycotted courts against the police action against their colleagues on Thursday.

The lawyers, who assembled at the bar room, condemned manhandling of their colleagues and demanded action against the responsible police officials.