‘THIS is apropos the news item ‘Lawyers barge into Faisalabad DC office.’ Article 16 of the Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to assemble peacefully without arms. The rowdy lawyers of Faisalabad demanding the formation of the Lahore High Court bench were without arms but were not peaceful and were violating the law.

Boycotting court proceedings, blocking roads, burning tyres and locking districts courts could have been somewhat acceptable acts, but smashing the court furniture and forcing entry into the DC office, scuffling with the DC and meddling into the ongoing conference were intolerable and unforgivable acts.

If this is so, then why only criticise and condemn the Tehrik Labaik Pakistan supporters and why not the rowdy Faisalbad lawyers?

Rosa Park has rightly quoted: “Each person must live the life as a model for others.” The recent model of the violent means of protests must be discouraged by the Supreme Court, government, media, civil society and people at large by all.

Aamir Khan Wagan

Larkana

Published in Dawn, November 19th, 2018