Supreme Court Bar Association calls for country wide strike on May 09 against Punjab Police torture on Lawyers

ISLAMABAD, May 08 (Exact Press International) Supreme Court Bar Association Pakistan (SCBAP) while condemning the police torture on Lawyers in Lahore has announced country wide strike on May 09.

According to SCBAP statement lawyers community would observe country wide strike including Supreme Court, High Courts and subordinate Judiciary to show solidarity with legal fraternity.

Shahzad Shaukat, President, and Syed Ali Imran, Secretary, and the 26th Executive Committee of Supreme Court Bar Association of Pakistan (SCBAP), have strongly condemned the police high-handedness against the peacefully protesting lawyers outside Lahore High Court, Lahore, today. Numerous lawyers have reportedly sustained serious injuries and many have been unjustly detained.

They have demanded Immediate medical attention for the wounded and the prompt release of the arrested lawyers.

While expressing solidarity with the lawyers’ and their just stance against the divisions of civil court(s) in Lahore, they have also strongly condemned and criticize the inept handling of this very sensitive matter by the Chief Justice, Lahore High Court, Lahore who failed to resolve the issue despite repeated appeals from the Bar. As such, they have called upon the Honorable Chief Justice of Pakistan to take immediate cognizance of the matter by taking suo moto notice for amicable resolution of the matter.

Arrests of peaceful lawyers represents a clear infringement of the principles of democracy, freedom of expression, and the right to dissent. Being citizen of this Country, Everyone`s rights are protected under Art.4 read with Art. 9, Art.10-A, Art. 14 and Art.19 of the Constitution, they opined.

In the end, they have warned that let no one be mistaken, if the police brutality continues unchecked and the lawyers’ just & fair demands remain unmet, this protest will escalate into a nationwide movement, with SCBAP spearheading the call for nationwide action.