LAHORE, Nov 14: Advocates affected by demolition of chambers on Fane Road have given a week for an alternative space and a compensation for their losses failing which they will refer the matter to the Lawyers Joint Action Committee for an action.

At a news conference here on Friday, the affected lawyers, including Chaudhry Ashraf, Ahmad Saeed Kirmani, Khawar Ikram Bhatti and Khurram Shahzad, said the Lahore High Court was delaying resolution of the issue even after they had submitted the information required by the court within the stipulated period.

Chaudhry Ashraf said: “The chief justice gave us an understanding that the problem will be solved. He also sent an indication of taking the bar into confidence, but nothing has come out so far and we feel highly dejected.” He said the matter would be referred to the Lawyers Joint Action Committee.

Asked about the Punjab Bar Council’s intervention, the lawyers said the bar council vice-chairperson had no such mandate and any step taken through the office would not be binding on them.

They said all lawyers affected by the demolition of chambers were bonafide claimants to an alternative land and compensation as all of them were either the allottees or paying rent on their behalf.

Also present on the occasion, Lahore High Court Bar Association president Hafiz Abdur Rehman Ansari said the bar supported the demand of the affected lawyers and would stand by them in securing their legitimate rights.