HRCP condemns assault on Asma Jahangir’s associates at LHC

One of Jahangir's associates was thrashed for appearing in a petition against PBC member Maqsood Buttar

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) on Thursday strongly condemned an attack by a group of lawyers on Asma Jahangir's associates inside a courtroom of Lahore High Court (LHC).

On Tuesday, lawyers thrashed barrister Usama Maalik and tore his clothes for appearing in a writ petition against Pakistan Bar Council member Maqsood Buttar and hurled abused at other counsels representing the case.

The petitioner, a woman, had maintained that her daughter, married to Buttar, had been missing for the last few weeks and suspected that the lawyer was behind the incident.

“HRCP denounces in the strongest possible terms the assault on Asma Jahangir’s associates," it said in a statement.

"The most disturbing fact is that the 70-strong group of attackers comprised exclusively of lawyers, a fraternity expected to facilitate the judicial process, not obstruct." it added.



HRCP, it continued, is particularly alarmed that the violent assault took place inside a courtroom.

“It is obvious that the attack occurred only because Asma Jahangir had agreed to represent petitioners against an influential lawyer, who also happens to be a member of Pakistan Bar Council (PBC).

“Resorting to hooliganism at this scale inside the LHC courtroom aimed at impeding the judicial process is a worrying new development," the statement said.

"This, if not challenged immediately, will lead to those uncertain about the strength of their cases to try and overcome or eliminate their opponents physically and violently."

HRCP hoped the PBC and leaders of the legal fraternity will challenge the behaviour by the group of lawyers and take meaningful steps to ensure that such an episode never occurs again.