HYDERABAD: The legal fraternity across Sindh observed a boycott of court proceedings on Monday in response to a call given by the Sindh Bar Council against failure of the law-enforcement agencies in recovering Barrister Awais Ali Shah, the son of Sindh High Court Chief Justice Sajjad Ali Shah.

Barrister Shah was kidnapped after he came out of a super market in the Clifton area of Karachi on June 20. Armed suspects waiting outside forcibly pushed him into their car and drove away.

In Hyderabad, no lawyer appeared in the high court, sessions court and civil courts to attend proceedings.

A group of lawyers led by High Court Bar Association (HCBA) president Ayaz Tunio, general secretary Ham­ee­dullah Dahiri, former joint secretary Ishrat Lohar and others also observed token hunger strike.

A protest meeting held at the HCBA office decided to observe one-hour token hunger strike, 10 to 11am daily till Thursday. The meeting was chaired by MrTunio. The meeting severely criticized police and security agencies for their failure in finding a clue to Barrister Shah.

The meeting also decide a future strategy on July 23 if the victim was not safely recovered by then.

SUKKUR: Protesting lawyers held a demonstration outside the Sukkur district bar association on Monday under the leadership of Qurban Kalwar, Ali Hyder Ada, Riaz Ali Buriro, Yasmeen Chachar, Sikandar Junejo and Rahib Malano.

Members of the bar association boycotted court proceedings to attend the demonstration. They raised slogans for immediate recovery of Barrister Shah and criticising the federal and provincial governments for their failure in this regard. Speaking to them, their leaders said that unrest among judges and lawyers was increasing with each passing day while the affected family was devastated as no headway was made so far in locating the young man. They noted that the life of Barrister Shah was obviously in danger in his kidnappers’ captivity.

KHAIRPUR: No proceeding were held in courts in Khairpur district on Monday due to a boycott observed by the legal fraternity.

Other routine works at courts also remained suspended as lawyers held protest demonstrations and rallies. Protest meetings were held at courts in Khairpur, Kingri, Thari Mirwah and towns.

MIRPURKHAS: Several hundred litigants turning up at courts in Mirpurkhas district had to return without getting into courtrooms as hearing of their cases could not be held on account of a boycott observed by the legal fraternity on Monday.

While lawyers wearing black armdbands attended pro­test meetings, litigants coming from far flung areas of the province were seen perturbed.

Speaking to participants in a protest meeting held at the district bar association, vice president Adnan Khurram said the protest would continue till July 20 unless Barrister Shah was recovered.

Published in Dawn, July 19th, 2016