Bar associations nationwide will enact a complete boycott of court proceedings on May 9, as a response to the violence against lawyers in Lahore.
This decision was made by the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) and Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), who condemned the actions of the Lahore Police.
The SCBA President labeled the treatment of lawyers as ‘terrorism’ and criticized the Chief Justice of Lahore High Court.
Additionally, the Karachi Bar Association announced its solidarity by joining the boycott.
Lawyers’ groups rallied against police violence targeting their peers in Lahore, as expressed in a joint press conference by Riazat Ali, Vice Chairman of the Pakistan Bar Council, and the President of the Supreme Court Bar Association.
Ali announced a nationwide gathering of lawyers in Lahore for protest, along with a call for a countrywide strike on Thursday.
He suggested that the Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court resolve the issue peacefully. Ali Imran Shah, Secretary of the Supreme Court Bar Association, highlighted instances of lawyers being harmed during the protests.
The Karachi Bar Association reported instances of violence against its members in Lahore and called for a suspension of judicial affairs.
The protests turned violent outside the Lahore High Court, with clashes between lawyers and law enforcement, including the use of tear gas and baton charges by the police and retaliatory actions by the lawyers.
