Several hurt as lawyers, police clash in Lahore

LAHORE/ISLAMABAD: The GPO Chowk Wednesday turned into a battleground when the police resorted to baton charge and tear gas shelling in an attempt to stop the lawyers from forcing their entry into the Lahore High Court (LHC).

The police also used water cannons to disperse the protesting lawyers. Several lawyers were arrested.

As many as 12 people were injured in the clash. They were brought to the Mayo and Ganga Ram hospitals. A total of 11 injured people were discharged after being given the medical aid.

Three injured cops, including SHO Anarkali Akhtar Ali, constable Subhan, SHO Bilal Arabi, a civilian Mukhtar, and two lawyers including Haq Nawaz and Ahmed Yar were under treatment at the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.

At the Mayo Hospital, a policeman Fayyaz, SSP Qazi Ali and lawyers, including Mudassar, Shehbaz Ali and Muhammad Faisal, were given treatment.

In an attempt to force their entry to the high court, the lawyers removed the barricades outside the GPO Chowk and high court and hurled stones at the police, injuring the SP Model Town and others. The police called out additional force to control the situation and restore traffic on The Mall and its linking arteries, which remained blocked for hours.

The blocking of the roads exposed commuters to a great deal of inconvenience in hot weather.

SSP Operations Lahore Muhammad Ali Raza said the police responded after being provoked by the stone-lobbing lawyers. He said peaceful rallies were permitted but violence was unacceptable.

Negotiations between the police and lawyers brought a temporary halt to the tear gas shelling but the situation remained tense, prompting further police action at the GPO Chowk. Eventually, the police cleared the area, arrested over 20 lawyers and restored the traffic.

Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz emphasized the importance of citizens’ safety and directed the IGP to avoid use of excessive force, urging the lawyers to resolve their issues with the Lahore High Court amicably.

Ahsan Bhoon, Chairman Lawyers Joint Action Committee, had announced a nationwide strike against the shifting of courts and registration of FIRs against the lawyers under the terrorism act. The lawyers’ grievances include the transfer of courts to Model Town and withdrawal of FIRs, demanding a resolution of these issues.

Meanwhile, the legal fraternity Wednesday strongly condemned alleged police brutality against their peers in Lahore and demanded that the Chief Justice of Pakistan take a suo motu notice of the incident.

In their separate statements, Vice Chairman Pakistan Bar Council Riazat Ali Sehr and President Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) Shahzad Shaukat condemned the police high-handedness against the peacefully protesting lawyers outside the Lahore High Court (LHC).

Numerous lawyers have reportedly sustained serious injuries and many have been unjustly detained. They demanded immediate medical attention for the wounded and prompt release of the arrested lawyers.

The lawyers were engaged in a peaceful protest against the notification to transfer cases to the Model Town kutchery and unjustified registration of terrorism cases against their fraternity.

The PBC vice chairman emphasized that every individual, including lawyers, possessed the fundamental right to engage in a peaceful protest. He strongly criticised excessive and unwarranted use of police force against the lawyers, denouncing it as a shameful act perpetrated by the police and a grave violation of their duty and discipline.

Riazat Ali Sehr said the brutal conduct exhibited by the Punjab police had tarnished the dignity and respect of lawyers adding that such egregious behaviour demanded immediate severe action against the responsible police officials.

He demanded immediate and decisive action from both the federal and Punjab governments, along with senior police officers, to address the involvement of police officials in “this shameful and inhuman act”.

He further expressed disappointment with the Lahore High Court chief justice, stating that the failure to resolve the longstanding issue through peaceful negotiation has contributed to the current situation.

Similarly, Shahzad Shaukat, President Supreme Court Bar Association, said the LHC chief justice had failed to resolve the issue despite repeated appeals from the bar. In this respect, he demanded that the chief justice of Pakistan take immediate cognizance of the matter by taking a suo motu notice for an amicable resolution of the matter.

“Arrest of peaceful lawyers represents a clear infringement of the principles of democracy, freedom of expression and the right to dissent,” Shahzad Shaukat said. He warned that if the police brutality continued unchecked and the lawyers just and fair demands remained unmet, this protest will escalate into a nationwide movement on the SCBA’s call.