Lawyers protest in Quetta against the police. PHOTO: FILE/ EXPRESS
Lawyers boycotted proceedings of the higher and lower courts across Balochistan on Friday to protest against the registration of cases against 150 lawyers.
The strike was called by the Balochiatn Bar Association after the police registered cases against lawyers accusing them of beating up police personnel.
Lawyers did not appear before the Balochistan High Court, Sessions Court and local magistrates in Quetta.
All the district bar councils backed the strike and demanded withdrawal of the cases and removal of DIG investigation Syed Mobin Ahmed.
Meanwhile, hearing of all the cases were adjourned. “There are thousands of cases pending and such strikes will create more trouble for the people,” said Shahid Khan, who was at the court for his hearing.
The Anti Terrorism Court (ATC) and Magistrate accepted the bail pleas of two lawyers, Advocate Askar Achakzai and Advocate Naseebullah Tareen.
“Lawyers will continue their strike until our demands are met,” Baz Mohammed Kakar of Balochistan Bar said, adding that they want DIG Investigation Police Syed Mobin Ahmed removed and cases against the lawyers withdrawn.
However, Quetta police Chief Abdul Razzaq Cheema said police will take legal action against lawyers who battered police personnel.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 26th, 2014.
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