Mukesh Kholi abduction: Lawyers boycott proceedings across Balochistan

Shahzain Bugti's legal adviser was kidnapped on Friday, lawyers threaten more strikes if he is not recovered.

QUETTA: Lawyers boycotted court proceedings in major parts of Balochistan on Monday demanding safe and early release of their kidnapped colleague Mukesh Kholi, who was abducted by armed men from Satellite town on Friday morning.

Kholi was the legal adviser of Jamhoori Watan Party (JWP) chief Nawabzada Shahzain Bugti whose bail plea was rejected by Supreme Court Treasury Bench in an arms and ammunition recovery case.

Balochistan lawyer associations announced to continue their strike until the kidnapped lawyer is recovered.

The strike call was issued by Balochistan Bar Association (BBA) and High Court Bar Association. The courts in Quetta wore a deserted look on Monday as lawyers did not turn up in superior, lower courts and before local magistrates. Almost all hearings were adjourned causing inconvenience to the people, particularly those who came from nearby districts for court proceedings.

The strike was also observed in Mastung, Pishin, Chaman, Loralai, Panjgur, Sibi, Nushki, Nasirabad, Kharan, Kalat, Khuzdar and other areas of Balochistan.

Meanwhile, protesting lawyers took out a procession from the session courts and staged a noisy demonstration at Manan Chowk.

The lawyers were carrying placard and banners inscribed with slogans in support of their demands.

Addressing the rally, President Balochistan Bar Association (BBA) Dawood Kasi, President of Balochistan High Court Bar Association Zahoor Shahwani, Syed Nazir Agha, Kamran Murtaza and Khalil Ahmed condemned the kidnapping of Kholi and observed  that no one is safe in Quetta where lawyers, doctors, politicians and minorities are being kidnapped in broad daylight.

They announced that they will boycott the court proceedings till the kidnapped lawyer is recovered, warning an escalation in their protests if normality is not restored soon. “Lawyers will intensify their protest if the missing lawyer is not recovered soon.”