The Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) on Thursday suspended the membership of Punjab Governor Rafique Rajwana, holding him responsible for ruckus caused at a convention organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and the LHCBA last week.

The bar alleged that Rajwana had "planned" the disruption caused at the convention by a group of lawyers associated with the ruling PML-N and banned him from entering the Lahore High Court building.

The decision to suspend the membership of the governor was taken during a meeting of the LHCBA chaired by the bar's association President Chaudhry Zulfiqar Ali.

LHCBA Vice President Rashid Lodhi said during the session that "the lawyers of the country stand united and in unity lies their strengh."

After the session, the lawyers took part in a protest and chanted slogans against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. Demanding the PM's resignation, they resolved to hold a protest every Thursday till the demand is met.

The spokesperson of the Punjab governor, however, has dismissed the allegations made by the LHCBA, saying that they are baseless. The spokesperson said that the governor is a law-abiding man with respect for the lawyers and the constitution.

The convention, held on Saturday at newly-constructed Javed Iqbal Auditorium of the LHCBA, sought to press the demand for the prime minister`s resignation in the wake of the Supreme Court verdict in the Panama Papers case.

It was cut short when lawyers, led by members of the PML-N lawyers` forum, barged into the conference room and roughed up SCBA leaders.

Several federal and provincial law officers were among the saboteurs who smashed the windowpanes of the auditorium and occupied the stage.

The host bar associations managed to eventually resume control of the stage and a heavy contingent of police and anti-riot force were deployed in front of the high court premises following the commotion.

Members of the bar associations then gathered in the auditorium where they shouted slogans against the lawyers supporting the PML-N.

Opinion

Editorial

Rigging claims
Updated 04 May, 2024

Rigging claims

The PTI’s allegations are not new; most elections in Pakistan have been controversial, and it is almost a given that results will be challenged by the losing side.
Gaza’s wasteland
04 May, 2024

Gaza’s wasteland

SINCE the start of hostilities on Oct 7, Israel has put in ceaseless efforts to depopulate Gaza, and make the Strip...
Housing scams
04 May, 2024

Housing scams

THE story of illegal housing schemes in Punjab is the story of greed, corruption and plunder. Major players in these...
Under siege
Updated 03 May, 2024

Under siege

Whether through direct censorship, withholding advertising, harassment or violence, the press in Pakistan navigates a hazardous terrain.
Meddlesome ways
03 May, 2024

Meddlesome ways

AFTER this week’s proceedings in the so-called ‘meddling case’, it appears that the majority of judges...
Mass transit mess
03 May, 2024

Mass transit mess

THAT Karachi — one of the world’s largest megacities — does not have a mass transit system worth the name is ...