File photo of lawyers in Peshawar boycotting court proceedings to express solidarity with families of Hazaras who were killed in Quetta. PHOTO: ONLINE/FILE
Lawyers, who have gained infamy recently for manhandling journalists and police officials, met their match on Monday when a lawyer was thrashed after using ‘colourful’ language against a soldier near the district courts on Monday.
The soldier — who was on duty during VIP movement — stopped lawyer Malik Shafiq Ahmad — who was going from the Judicial Complex to the district courts — after telling him the route has been temporarily closed.
“The lawyer started arguing with the soldier, which led to a scuffle,” Kutchery Police Station ASI Awais Akram told The Express Tribune.
He said both men started swearing at each other, after which the soldier hit the lawyer and caused a minor head injury.
After getting wind of the incident, other lawyers reached the site and started protesting.
“They were shouting slogans against the army and demanded action against the soldier,” he said.
The lawyers also tried to manhandle the soldier, but the police stopped them. District Bar President Israrul Haq said VIP moment has become a routine norm, causing immense difficulties for lawyers and those who must visit the courts.
“We have repeatedly demanded that army high ups use alternative routes to avoid problems for people and lawyers, but the requests go unheeded,” Haq said.
Security Officer Colonel Shehreyar came to apologise on behalf of the soldier and urged the lawyers to end the protest.
The lawyers lodged a report in the police station against the soldier, the ASI said, adding that further action would be taken in the light of the report.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 19th, 2013.
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Lawyer resorts to violence in any other country he loses his license to practice law - end of story. Suspect that's why you never read stories in other countries about lawyers beating up people. Maybe your SC justices should focus on cleaning up the legal profession before they take on anymore suo moto cases.
Military has more guns than lawyers. So case decided. People must put up with VIP movements and the culture associated with it.
Physical violence by uniforms (of all kinds) is a norm. Regardless what language was exchanged between the two, soldier must not have assaulted the lawyer. His superior did apologize, but is there a remote chance that he will be charged with Assault?? At least that's what would have happened in a country with social justice and Law.
I'm with the soldier, well done.... these lawyer need to be taught some manner....
We have repeatedly demanded that army high ups use alternative routes to avoid problems for people and lawyers, but the requests go unheeded
It is important to note that the incident did not happen in the Rawalpindi city proper, it happened in the Military Cantonment Area (Chacklala Cantonment).
Let all animals kill each other.