LAHORE: Lawyers continued the closure of district courts for the third consecutive day on Thursday in protest against the registration of a terrorism case against a former bar leader on the complaint of the Defence Housing Authority (DHA).

The protesting lawyers locked all entrance points of the sessions court and other judicial complexes, as part of their strike.

Due to the shutdown, litigants and police officials were not allowed to enter the court premises.

The lawyers also observed a strike, demanding withdrawal of the case registered against Shafaaqat Amin Sidhu, a former vice president (Cantonment seat) of the Lahore Bar Association.

The Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) also convened its general house meeting on the matter and condemned the registration of the case against the lawyer and his family members.

LHCBA President Babar Murtaza said Advocate Sidhu and others had held a peaceful demonstration against alleged illegal occupation of their ancestral land by the DHA.

But, he alleged, the peaceful protesters were subjected to brutal torture by the DHA personnel and police registered a “fabricated” case under the Anti Terrorism Act (ATA).

He said the DHA officials had approached the bar for reconciliation. However, Murtaza said, he asked the them to first withdraw the fabricated FIR.

He urged Chief Justice Aalia Neelum to take notice of the matter and protect lawyers from “illegal” actions of police.

Published in Dawn, June 19th, 2026