Lawyers demand arrests in killings

RAWALPINDI:

Following the brutal killings of lawyers in Jhang and Vehari, the Punjab Bar Council's ban on the entry of police officers, investigation teams and personnel into 43 district bar associations and 170 tehsil bar associations across the province has come into effect.

On Wednesday, the judge of the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC), Amjad Ali Shah, arrived at the District Bar to deliver a lecture on anti-terrorism laws — but without his police security.

Addressing the bar, he said he was aware that the Punjab Bar Council had imposed a ban on police entry in all bar premises across the province.

"In compliance with this ban, I left my entire police security detail behind at my court and came here alone. I feel no danger here. As a lawyer myself, I am proud to be a member of the Punjab Bar Council," he said.

Responding to the bar council's call, lawyers observed a complete strike in all six district courts and 27 tehsil bar kachehries of Rawalpindi Division on Wednesday, December 3.