On strike: Lawyers’ boycott enters fourth consecutive day

KARACHI: The legal fraternity's boycott of legal proceedings to protest the kidnapping of Sindh High Court (SHC) Chief Justice Sajjad Ali Shah's son entered the fourth consecutive day on Friday.

Advocate Ovais Ali Shah was kidnapped from Clifton on Tuesday in broad daylight.

Lawyers stayed away from legal proceedings at the SHC, City Courts, Malir District Courts and other special courts and tribunals in the city. As a result, a large number of cases were simply adjourned without any hearing.

The fourth consecutive day of the boycott resulted in difficulties for litigants. Meanwhile, jail authorities did not shift under-trial prisoners to the courts following the strike.

The legal fraternity, which has lost dozens of its members in targeted attacks in recent years, has expressed its concerns over the performance of law enforcement agencies in maintaining peace in the city.

During the last four days, they have been demanding that the government ensure the early and safe recovery of Advocate Shah as well as protection to the members of the judiciary and legal community.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 25^th, 2016.