Messing with the wrong guy: Lawyers get a taste of their own medicine

One black coat manhandled after arguing with solider deputed along VIP route.

RAWALPINDI:

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 19^th, 2013.