KARACHI: Authorities suspended the SHO of the Gulbahar police station on Friday after the legal fraternity protested against him, alleging that he “physically assaulted” a former office-bearer of the Karachi Bar Association (KBA) at the police station.

The lawyers observed a complete strike at the City Courts and boycotted judicial proceedings in protest against the alleged “physical assault, harassment and inhumane treatment” meted out by SHO Rao Muhammad Aslam to former KBA office-bearer Ishfaq Ahmed Buriro.

Litigants and police were barred from entering the City Courts premises, where cases were adjourned due to the KBA’s complete strike.

An order issued by the office of SSP-Central Dr Muhammad Imran Khan on Friday stated that the SHO of Gulbahar police station had been suspended with immediate effect and reverted from the rank of sub-inspector to his substantive rank of assistant sub-inspector.

Legal fraternity observes strike at City Courts

The order further stated that he had been transferred to the SSP Reserve, District Central, with immediate effect and would report to the office on a daily basis during the suspension period.

However, KBA President Aamir Nawaz Warraich did not welcome the action taken by the SSP against the police officer, demanding that an FIR be registered against the officer.

He said the lawyers would continue their strike and boycott court proceedings until a case was registered.

Speaking to Dawn, Mr Warraich said the lawyer had gone to the police station over an issue regarding a friend’s family. However, he alleged that the police officials present there, including the SHO, misbehaved with him, physically assaulted him and later “illegally confined him in the lock-up”.

Earlier in morning, the KBA condemned the alleged action of the SHO against the ex-office bearer and termed it as a “grave violation of fundamental rights, human dignity and the principles of justice and rule of law”.

Published in Dawn, August 1st, 2026