Lawyers observe strike over Imaan, spouse sentencing

ISLAMABAD:

Lawyers across Islamabad observed a strike in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) and district courts on Monday to protest the arrest – and subsequent sentencing – of lawyers Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha, as well as alleged police violence against the president and secretary of the Islamabad High Court Bar Association (IHCBA).

The protest culminated in a march from the judicial complex to the offices of the DIG and SSP, while police entry into the district courts was blocked.

The strike was called jointly by the Islamabad Bar Council (IBC), IHCBA and district bar associations.

As a result, lawyers boycotted court proceedings, with only urgent cases being taken up in the IHC and subordinate courts, while routine hearings were adjourned due to the strike.

Outside the IHCBA building, president Wajid Ali Gilani and other lawyers staged a protest, holding placards and shouting slogans.

IHCBA Secretary Manzoor Jajja said that lawyers had observed a complete strike and did not appear in courts. Slogans including "Wukla ittehad zindabad" (Long live lawyers' unity) and "Police gardi murdabad" (down with police high-handedness) were chanted during the protest.