Lawyers strike over arrests, FIRs

Lawyers across several cities in Punjab observed a strike on Monday, following a call by the Punjab Bar Council in protest against the registration of cases and arrests of lawyers.

A majority of lawyers did not appear in court, except in urgent matters. Due to the strike, subordinate courts and duty civil judges rescheduled hearings, leading to an early quiet at the Rawalpindi District Courts.

Bar President Manzar Bashir and Secretary Asad Malik led a protest meeting, demanding that FIRs against lawyers be withdrawn immediately.

They warned of escalated protests and possible action against police officials if the demands were not met.