Ex-SCBA president Afridi shot dead at PHC

Assailant disguised as lawyer fired multiple bullets at Latif Afridi

PESHAWAR:

Former president of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and senior lawyer Latif Afridi was shot dead inside the Peshawar High Court on Monday when an assailant disguised as a lawyer opened fire at him.

According to Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Operations Kashif Abbasi, the attacker fired approximately six bullets when the senior lawyer was sitting with other lawyers inside the bar room, critically injuring him.

The lawyer suffered multiple bullet wounds and was shifted to the Lady Reading Hospital. A hospital spokesperson confirmed that Afridi was dead on arrival.

The SSP stated that the attacker, whose family belonged to the legal fraternity, was arrested by the police personnel.

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“The police have arrested the accused identified as Adnan Afridi,” the officer said, revealing that the attacker was related to Afridi.

The mortal remains of the lawyer were transported to his village via ambulance.

The attacker’s cousin Aftab Afridi — an anti-terrorism judge in Swat — was killed in a firing incident last year. Latif Afridi and his family members were nominated in the case but were later acquitted by an anti-terrorism court in Swabi.

The ATC judge, his wife and two children were gunned down on April 4, 2021 on the motorway near Ambar Interchange, Swabi.

Call for strike

The Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) strongly condemned the killing of Latif Afridi, announcing that lawyers across Pakistan would go on a strike tomorrow (Tuesday) and not appear in court.

According to a statement, members of the council expressed "serious concerns regarding [the] failure of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government, K-P police and law enforcement agencies regarding [the] provision of security to courts and lawyers."

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The council demanded that the government make security arrangements in and around court premises.

The PBC chairperson, vice-chairperson and executive committee further stipulated that the trial of the accused be conducted on a day-to-day basis and that the planners behind the incident be "arrested immediately".

The council also prayed for the departed soul, who "rendered valuable services for the welfare of members of the Bar and legal fraternity".

Condolences and condemnations

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep sorrow and grief over the “brutal killing” of the senior lawyer.

“I pray that the bereaved family bear this loss with fortitude. The worsening law and order situation in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa is alarming,” the premier noted, urging the provincial government to take immediate measures in this regard.

Former president Asif Ali Zardari condemned the murder of Afridi, saying that he was a strong supporter of democracy and a staunch opponent of extremism.

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“The killing of martyr Abdul Latif Afridi is very unfortunate,” the PPP leader said in a tweet.

Meanwhile, former SBCA president Ahsan Bhoon expressed shock at the murder of the senior lawyer, saying that Afridi had always raised his voice for people deprived of rights.

The ex-SCBA president said Afridi was a strong advocate of democracy. “He resisted all anti-democratic forces throughout his life.”

The Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) and the K-P Bar Council also condemned Afridi’s killing in strong words, announcing a strike on Tuesday (tomorrow).

In a statement, LHCBA President Sardar Akbar Ali Dogar and Vice President Sohail Shafiq Chaudhry said lawyers were not even safe inside the courts and bar rooms.

They also asked the government to ensure protection for the lives of lawyers.

Separately, the Lahore Bar Association (LBA) also condemned the incident in a statement. LBA President Rana Intezar Hussain said terrorism had gripped the country again and lawyers were being frequently targeted.

'K-P suffers from lawlessness'

Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan strongly condemned the killing of Latif Afridi, saying that K-P was suffering from lawlessness.

The minister said the law and order situation in the province was alarming and would not have occurred if the provincial government had focused on peace and order instead of political manipulation. He added that this incident was proof of the seriousness of the law and order situation.

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Sana said two lawyers were targeted in a day in Rawalpindi and Peshawar, both ruled by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government. He added that the federal government had informed the Punjab and K-P regimes to improve the law and order situation “several times”.

He stated that those who committed heinous crimes should be awarded the strictest punishment as per the law.

According to the interior minister, Afridi was a lawyer of the Constitution, democracy and oppressed people, and was courageously candid.

Sanaullah prayed for the deceased lawyer and offered his condolences to the bereaved family. (With input from news desk)