Lawyers vandalise judicial complex in Multan

Announce strike against lack of missing facilities

Dozens of lawyers stormed and vandalised the newly-constructed judicial complex in Multan on Wednesday after their protest against the shifting of the building went unheard.

The lawyers had staged a protest outside the old judicial complex at Katcheri Chowk earlier in the day, The Express News reported. Among their demands was the construction of a chamber at the new site.

The lawyers then marched to the new premises on Matital Road, and broke windows and doors of the judges’ rooms and courtrooms.

“The decision to shift is premature. The construction is not complete. There are no washrooms, bar rooms, or any other rooms,” a protesting lawyer told The Express News.



A heavy contingent of police arrived at the scene but they did not intervene when the protesting lawyers refused to back down. The lawyers dispersed after a few hours.



Meanwhile, Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah, under fire for his alleged role in the Model Town incident, defended the lawyers’ actions, saying they were exercising their democratic right.

Speaking to local media, he said the police were given instructions to ensure none of the protesters are harmed in any way.

District and Sessions Judge Ameer Muhammad Khan said that public should not be disappointed over the incident of protest at judicial complex. The courts would continue to work and lawyers would continue to appear for the dispensation of justice to masses.

District and Sessions Judge Ameer Muhammad Khan while talking to media said that enough space was available for the legal fraternity at the new judicial complex. There was a bar room, 61 public toilets and also complete arrangement for the provision of safe drinking water.





The law has its own way and there is none above law. However, he urged lawyers to cooperate and ensure their attendance before courts to facilitate litigants.

The lawyers had also announced a strike over the missing facilities.

The construction of the judicial complex began in 2005 on 1,000 acres of land. The Asian Development Bank granted a loan under the Access to Justice Programme for the project.

With Additional input from APP

Published in The Express Tribune, December 14^th, 2017.