In solidarity: Lawyers boycott courts

SHCBA criticised the government for its failure to bring an end to violence in Balochistan.

KARACHI:

Lawyers in the city boycotted legal proceedings at courts on Monday as they joined nationwide protests against the killing of the Hazara community members.

The legal fraternity stayed away from courts after the Pakistan Bar Council issued a call for protest. No legal proceedings took place at the Sindh High Court (SHC), city courts and Malir district courts.

Meanwhile, members of the SHC Bar Association (SHCBA), Karachi Bar Association and Malir District Bar Association conducted a joint meeting at SHCBA premises, and criticised the government for its failure to bring an end to violence in Balochistan.

A former Supreme Court Bar Association president, Yasin Azad, said that Balochistan was heading towards destruction, as the state was losing its writ over there. “If the situation is not brought under control, then it might result in another East Pakistan-like tragedy.”

SHCBA president Ghulama Mustafa Lakhani observed that the federal and provincial governments had together failed to control the law and order situation in Quetta, Karachi and other areas. He particularly criticised the federal government for taking no action in Balochistan, even after the provincial government had been dismissed due to another massive attack on the Hazara community members last month.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 19^th, 2013.