Nationwide Strike By Pakistani Lawyers Over Police Assault

Lawyers across Pakistan initiated a strike, calling for the release of numerous colleagues detained following a clash outside Lahore High Court. Punjab police were deployed in significant numbers outside the court premises in response to protests by the legal community and amid crackdown on their demonstration in the provincial capital.

The crackdown ensued as lawyers protested against the filing of terrorism-related charges against their peers and the relocation of civil courts. Several lawyers were apprehended during the tumultuous protest, which demanded the dismissal of cases against fellow lawyers and the rescindment of the notification regarding the transfer of civil courts to Model Town.

Read more: Lawyers And Police Clashes Near Lahore High Court

In response to the perceived heavy-handedness of the police, lawyers declared a boycott of court proceedings and planned gatherings at Lahore High Court and Aiwan-e-Adal. Demonstrating solidarity, courts in Karachi and various other cities also suspended operations. Additionally, prisoners were not brought to court hearings due to the strike.