LAHORE: The legal fraternity on Monday observed an impressive strike and boycotted court proceedings to protest brutal police torture of marchers and the media persons at Islamabad.

Courtrooms at the Lahore High Court, sessions and civil courts gave a deserted look as the lawyers kept themselves away from their routine work and spent most of their time in barrooms.

The country-wide strike call was jointly given by Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) and Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA). Litigants faced problem due to the lawyers strike.

In Lahore, the high court bar also condemned Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan for leveling “false allegations” against lawyers’ leaders. The lawyers also lashed out at agitators for occupying the state media house, PTV.

At a press conference, bar president Shafqat Chohan said the lawyers would be at forefront to resist any extra-constitutional act in the country. He advised all political parties to end the deadlock through dialogue.

Published in Dawn, September 2nd, 2014