Lawyers boycott courts

They were protesting the Charsadda attack

KARACHI: The legal proceedings remained suspended at the Sindh High Court (SHC) on Thursday, as the lawyers boycotted courts in protest against the terrorist attack on Bacha Khan University in Charsada, in which 21 people died and many others were injured.

Dozens of cases fixed on the day at the high court could not be taken up after the SHC chief justice suspended the proceedings on the request of SHC Bar Association (SHCBA). The association's members did not turn up in the courts and instead remained in the SHCBA office, where a general body meeting was convened.

"The association stands with the families of martyrs and injured at this difficult time," said a resolution unanimously adopted by the body members. The members of the association demanded the authorities to provide adequate and foolproof security at all public places, particularly at educational and religious institutions. "The real culprits must be brought before the nation," they demanded.

The legal fraternity also asked the government to pay compensation to the bereaved families and to provide free medical treatment facilities to the wounded. However, judges remained present in the chambers to entertain urgent cases.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 22^nd,  2016.