RAWALPINDI, Aug 9: Senior lawyer and television compere Naeem Bukhari was beaten up by enraged lawyers at the district courts when he came to attend the legal proceedings of his client before an additional district and sessions judge here on Thursday.
Mr Bukhari had earned the ire of the lawyers’ fraternity for writing an open letter to the Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, which was considered to be a prelude to the recent judicial crisis in the country. Bukhari was later barred by the lawyers community from entering any bar association.
Soon after he reached the court of ASJ Shaukat Mehmood at 10am on Thursday, the lawyers started gathering outside the courtroom. Sensing the gravity of the situation, the judge directed Mr Bukhari to move to his chamber for his safety. However, he insisted on going out and apologise to the lawyers for hurting their sentiments.
When he came out and tried to speak, the lawyers refused to listen to him, let alone accept his apology. They said his actions had brewed the judicial crisis with the suspension of the chief justice and also resulted in the loss of many innocent lives.
The lawyers attacked him in the presence of a police force who along with some senior lawyers tried to save him. Young lawyers beat Mr Bukhari black and blue and tore his black uniform.
The attacking mob got further unruly when some people, not lawyers, started hurling stones, tomatoes and eggs on the besieged Bukhari. He was later escorted by a heavy police contingent to his car for his safe exit. Two policemen and five lawyers also sustained minor injuries during the melee.
According to the police, Mr Bukhari refused to lodge a complaint against the attackers. However, sources in the police said an FIR had been registered by the Civil Lines police and it had been sealed.
Senior lawyers said the reaction of their junior colleagues was not commendable. They said their entire campaign for the restoration of the chief justice had remained non-violent.
President District Bar Association Raja Khalid Ismail Abbasi said the lawyers had reacted to the manhandling of the CJP but they must refrain from indulging in such activities.