54 Jhang lawyers booked under ATA

JHANG: Following a violent incident at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office, police have registered a case under the Anti-Terrorism Act and other sections of the Pakistan Penal Code against four nominated and more than 50 unidentified lawyers.

The FIR, No 1583/25, was lodged at the Kotwali Police Station on the complaint of Tehsildar Jhang, Shoukat Ali. According to the FIR, the complainant stated that the accused including Ammar Murtaza, Aamir Ali, Adeel Mehmood, and Chaman Abbas, along with 50 others, allegedly stormed the DC Office, creating chaos inside the courtroom and meeting hall. At the time, the additional deputy commissioner Revenue and other senior officials were dealing with public matters. The complainant stated that officials, staff, and visitors were forced to lock themselves in an adjoining room for safety while the lawyers chanted slogans. The complainant Tehsildar Shoukat Ali stated that the accused were wanted to pressurize the officers.

Videos circulating on social media show the lawyers later gathering outside the District Police Office, chanting slogans against police. They alleged that police had conducted illegal raids on the homes of their colleagues affiliated with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and challenged authorities to arrest them openly instead of targeting their residences.

Meanwhile, sources said the deputy commissioner has been provided with a daily security audit. Despite this, the protesting lawyers managed to breach the security of the DC Office. According to the police spokesperson, an FIR under 7-ATA and 395, 506 (II), 353, 342, 440, 186, 148 and 149 of PPC has been registered against four nominated lawyers and 50 others. Meanwhile, the district administration spokesperson said public service matters would be executed strictly on merit without bothering the pressure tactics by any kind of group.