LHC disposes off petitions seeking release of lawyers detained after PIC attack

One petition prayed upon the court for a restraining order against police action

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Wednesday disposed off four petitions – seeking the release of lawyers and praying upon the court to restrict law enforcement action against the accused – in the Punjab Institute of Cardiology attack case (PIC).

The disposed petitions, including one filed by Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA), requested a restraining order against law enforcement agencies against further arrests.

A LHC division bench comprising of Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi, Justice Sardar Ahmad Naeem presided the hearing.

The advocate general, inspector general of Punjab and home secretary had assured that people involved in the PIC attack would be “dealt with an iron hand”.



They have also guaranteed that the arrested lawyers will be dealt in accordance with the law and no un-constitutional or unlawful steps would be taken.

Lawyers had appointed four representatives to resolve the dispute with the doctors. However, the senior administration of PIC is still deliberating over who to nominate.

Punjab's top police official has also ordered that the faces of accused lawyers will not be covered when they are presented in court.

Earlier on Monday, LHC Justice Ali Baqar Najafi referred petitions to the Chief Justice (CJ) Sardar Muhammad Shamim Khan. They were referred to the CJ on the request of the High Court Bar President Hafeezur Rehman Chaudhary.



Lawyers also chanted slogans to show solidarity with those arrested by the police outside the courtroom.

In an earlier hearing held on December 13, Justice Najafi had questioned the lawyers, “How dare you people attack a hospital? Can you give even a single explanation?”

The justice had further remarked, “There are black sheep in your profession. It is regrettable that you people are giving explanations on this gory incident. You had planned it in the Lahore Bar Association (LBA).”