KBA gives strike call over Lahore violence

Karachi Bar Association (KBA) has announced a strike on Monday in solidarity with their counterparts in Lahore who were manhandled by police during their protest against the division of civil courts.

Addressing a meeting at Karachi City Court regarding manhandling of lawyers by police and registration of cases against them, KBA President Amir Nawaz Warraich said the protest will continue till withdrawal of the notification and an action against the IG Punjab and others.

The notification pertains to the division of the civil courts.

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He warned, “If we do not support Lahore’s lawyers today, we will also be meted out with the same situation tomorrow,” adding Sindh High Court (SHC) Chief Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi has assured the lawyers’ leaders that the courts and lawyers will not be divided.

KBA’s General Secretary Sarfraz Maitlo asked the Supreme Judicial Council to take suo motu notice of it, adding, “We will send our resolution demanding to give the office of chief justice, Lahore High Court, to the person who takes along bar and bench together”.

Naheed Afzal Khan Advocate said the notification is extremely objectionable that reflects a dictator’s mindset. He requested Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Esa to take notice of the incident.

Meanwhile, the lawyers’ strike against the division of civil courts continued in Lahore as the hearings were postponed after the lawyers abstained from appearing before the courts.