People suffer as lawyers go on strike against model courts

RAWALPINDI/LAHORE: Lawyers stayed away from Rawalpindi and Lahore courts Thursday as they observed strike on the call of Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) against formation of model courts across the country and non-restoration of 22-A and 22-B to its past position.

The lawyers did not appear in civil, criminal, special and sessions courts and the hearings of cases in these courts were adjourned without any proceeding. The people who came from far flung areas had to suffer severely due to lawyers’ strike. While expressing their concern and surprise on strike call on every Thursday, the clients said that on the one hand speedy and inexpensive provision of justice was pledged and on the other lawyers are holding strike which is beyond understanding. On the other hand the leadership of lawyers said that their protest would continue till the restoration of 22-A and 22-B to its past position and removing of reservations of lawyers regarding formation of model courts. Meanwhile, lawyers of the Lahore Bar Association on Thursday observed a partial strike against the National Judicial Policy Making Committee’s decision over the registration of cases under Sections 22-A and 22-B of the Criminal Procedure Code (Cr.P.C).

Most of the lawyers didn’t appear in courts due to which many case were adjourned without any development. The National Judicial Policy Making Committee had decided that the applications under the 22-A and 22-B of the Criminal Procedure Code might not be entertained by courts unless they were accompanied by a decision of the relevant district superintendent police.