Lawyers across the city blocked the National Highway for nearly 30 minutes on Wednesday to protest the target killings of their colleagues.
On the third and last day of their strike, the representatives of the Karachi Bar Association (KBA), Sindh Bar Council and Malir Bar Association addressed the protesters, who staged a sit-in near the Malir courts. They criticised the government for failing to ensure security for the residents.
The call for the strike was made by the KBA on May 22, a day after the murder of two brothers - both lawyers - in Mauripur. KBA president Muhammad Aqil said that the lawyers do not trust in the government and now they will have to ensure their own security. The government is not taking this issue seriously and no one has contacted them since the “cold treatment” they received at CM House on Monday, he complained. “After the PNS Mehran attack, we have to question the security forces that if they cannot protect their own places then how can they protect us?” said Aqil.
He warned that the lawyers will start a movement against target killings the same way they fought for the rule of law. “We will invite other organisations and professionals, such as doctors, politicians and journalists.” A joint press conference will be held today (Thursday) at 1 pm at the office of the Sindh Bar Council where the lawyer community will decide its future plan of action.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 26th, 2011.
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