The Karachi Bar Association has announced an indefinite strike in city courts following a violent incident involving YouTuber Rajab Butt. Lawyers have boycotted court proceedings across Karachi, escalating tensions between the legal community and law enforcement.
The dispute began after police registered an FIR against several lawyers linked to the assault on Rajab Butt at the City Court. According to authorities, the lawyers had allegedly attacked the SHO at City Court, misbehaved with police personnel, and caused damage inside the police station.
SSP City Asif Baloch confirmed that an FIR was registered over the violence against Rajab Butt. He added that the law does not allow the registration of two FIRs for the same incident. Despite this, lawyers are reportedly demanding a second FIR, which is legally not permissible.
Following the incident, lawyers staged a protest on MA Jinnah Road, disrupting traffic for several hours. The protest lasted around seven hours before being called off, and City Court Road was reopened for public use.
Karachi Bar President Aamir Nawaz Warraich announced that the strike would continue until a case is registered against Rajab Butt and others based on the lawyers’ complaint. He said police access to court premises would be blocked during the strike.
Speaking to the media, Warraich claimed that people accompanying Rajab Butt had initially attacked lawyers. He also alleged that a viral video circulating on social media was edited and did not show earlier footage of the incident.
Earlier, Warraich had warned that the protest could expand if the lawyers’ complaint was not addressed. He emphasized that the Karachi Bar Association fully supports the protesting lawyers.
The incident involving Rajab Butt has heightened tensions between lawyers and police in Karachi. Court proceedings remain disrupted, and authorities are calling for calm while legal and administrative measures are pursued to resolve the dispute.
In other related news also read Fresh Allegations Hit YouTuber Rajab Butt
This ongoing situation reflects the delicate balance between law enforcement and the legal fraternity in Karachi, with Rajab Butt at the center of the controversy.
