Multan lawyers continue protest for second day

Judge says enough space is available for legal fraternity at new judicial complex

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

He said this while talking to journalists in Multan. He said that enough space was available for legal fraternity at new judicial complex. There was a bar room, 61 public toilets and also complete arrangement for provision of safe drinking water.

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

Earlier on December 13, enraged lawyers stormed the new judicial complex on Mattital Road, smashing windows and doors and mirrors with sticks, in protest over the shifting of the courts for a second consecutive day.



The lawyers are incensed that the new judicial complex, which began functioning on November 14, does not house their chambers. A large number of female lawyers also participated in the demonstrations today.

Television footage showed police trying to contain the protesting lawyers in front of the complex. At one point, however, the lawyers managed to break past the police and surround them and were seen aggressively clapping their hands above their heads.

The lawyers then broke into the complex building and began smashing windows and doors inside a sessions court with sticks.

The lawyers maintained that although four or five months had lapsed, their demands had not been fulfilled and the new judicial complex does not house their chambers.

They added that due to rain and cold weather in the city, they faced grave difficulties as they had had to operate in the grounds outside the buildings.



Meanwhile, Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah said that the lawyers' demands were justified and negotiations will be held with them in order to reach an agreement to end the protests. He added that if the negotiations were not successful, a second round of talks will be held through a third party.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 15^th, 2017.