The Punjab government on Monday dismissed Additional Advocate General Khawar Ikram Bhatti for reportedly slapping a police officer outside an accountability court in Islamabad, DawnNews reported.

A notification issued by Punjab Law Secretary Dr Syed Abul Hassan Najmi said that "the competent authority... [has] dispensed with the services of [Bhatti] with immediate effect".

Earlier, Justice Ebadur Rehman Lodhi refused to let Bhatti appear before the Lahore High Court, saying that "it did not suit state lawyers to assault a police officer".

Lodhi also accused Bhatti of being politically motivated and said that a state lawyer should serve the state instead of a political party.

On Saturday, a group of lawyers associated with the PML-N had forcibly tried to enter an accountability court, where former premier's daughter Maryam Nawaz and her husband Muhammad Safdar had appeared for the hearing of a corruption case against them.

On being stopped by the police officers posted outside the court, the lawyers assaulted the official.

Later that day, a case against the group of lawyers was registered after Inspector Shakeel Ahmed of the Diplomatic Protection Department filed a complaint regarding the incident.

Opinion

Editorial

Afghan turbulence
Updated 19 Mar, 2024

Afghan turbulence

RELATIONS between the newly formed government and Afghanistan’s de facto Taliban rulers have begun on an...
In disarray
19 Mar, 2024

In disarray

IT is clear that there is some bad blood within the PTI’s ranks. Ever since the PTI lost a key battle over ...
Festering wound
19 Mar, 2024

Festering wound

PROTESTS unfolded once more in Gwadar, this time against the alleged enforced disappearances of two young men, who...
Defining extremism
Updated 18 Mar, 2024

Defining extremism

Redefining extremism may well be the first step to clamping down on advocacy for Palestine.
Climate in focus
18 Mar, 2024

Climate in focus

IN a welcome order by the Supreme Court, the new government has been tasked with providing a report on actions taken...
Growing rabies concern
18 Mar, 2024

Growing rabies concern

DOG-BITE is an old problem in Pakistan. Amid a surfeit of public health challenges, rabies now seems poised to ...