Lawyers Call for Nationwide Strike on May 9 

News Desk 

Islamabad: Lawyers across Pakistan have issued a call for a nationwide full-day strike on May 9 (Thursday, as declared by the Vice Chairman of the Pakistan Bar Council during discussions with the media.

The leader of the legal fraternity questioned the prolonged closure of High Court doors, stressing that lawyers are not to be equated with terrorists.

They plan to rally lawyers from all corners of the country to convene in Lahore, citing two primary demands.

The Vice Chairman of the Pakistan Bar Council remarked that the issue is not a recent development but has persisted over time, downplaying its severity.

Previous protests by lawyers have involved incidents such as stone throwing, police baton charges, and tear gas dispersion.

Clashes in Lahore

In Lahore, lawyers gathered at Baphar and engaged in stone pelting towards the police while protesting at GPO Chowk.

They attempted to enter the High Court by removing barriers. In response, the police resorted to lathi-charging, tear gas shelling, and water cannon usage to disperse the lawyers.

Over 50 lawyers have been detained by the police thus far. Police arrested protesting lawyers in Lahore and transported them in a prison van.

During clashes between the police and lawyers, one Superintendent of Police (SP) and two Station House Officers (SHOs) sustained injuries.

The police erected barriers blocking access to the main gate of the Lahore High Court and apprehended a protesting lawyer.

Heavy police presence has been deployed at the Judges Gate and within the premises of the Lahore High Court.  Lawyers began to empty the courts

In addition, lawyers also cleared the courts during their protest. On behalf of the lawyers, Justice Anwar-ul-Haq’s courtroom was emptied. Lawyers forcibly removed civilians from Justice Anwar-ul-Haq’s courtroom.

Lawyers Demands

Lawyers are adamant that they will not return to the High Court without convening a General House session.

The Lahore Bar Association has declared that there will be no negotiations with the police. President of the Lahore Bar, Munir Bhatti, emphasized to the media that their primary demand is the establishment of the rule of law in the country.

He asserted that their objectives include ensuring justice, an independent judiciary, and the protection of basic human rights.

Bhatti stated that negotiations might be considered, but only after certain conditions are met, including the withdrawal of notices regarding court transfers and cases under the Anti-Terrorism Act.

The closure of a metro station and disruptions to traffic flow have been caused by the protest, with lawyers occupying the steps of the Orange Line station at GPO Chowk to avoid confrontation with tear gas. This demonstration is in response to the transfer of civil courts and the filing of terrorism cases against lawyers.

DIG (Operations) Faisal Kamran confirmed the lawyers’ protest, emphasizing that the police are exercising maximum patience and restraint.

He explained that tear gas was used in response to stone pelting by the lawyers, and reiterated the commitment to maintain restraint.

Kamran stated that any violations would be addressed in accordance with the law. Additionally, he mentioned that two police personnel, including an SHO and a constable, were injured during the incident, highlighting the deployment of 2,000 personnel for High Court security.