Violent clashes erupt as police disperse protesting lawyers in Lahore

LAHORE: During the lawyer’s protest outside Lahore High Court on Wednesday, violent clashes erupted when police tried to disperse and stop lawyers from entering the high court premises.

Violent clashes were observed when lawyers were demonstrating against the division of civil courts and terrorism cases against their colleagues.

The protesters tried to enter the high court by removing the barricades around its premises. To disperse protesters, Lahore police baton-charged and began shelling and water cannons at the GPO Chowk and blocked their way to the court’s main gate.

A heavy contingent of police has been deployed at the judges’ gate of the LHC while the police have also arrested several protesting lawyers and closed all doors of the Lahore High Court. Amid the chaos, Many lawyers and police personnel were injured in the runaway.

Meanwhile, traffic flow at Mall Road and adjoining roads has also been severely affected.

In a violent clash at GPO Chowk, three cops including Anarkali SHO Akhtar Ali sustained injuries. The three injured have been shifted to the Ganga Ram Hospital.

Taking notice of the incident, Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz directed IG Police Usman Anwar to refrain from using force against the lawyers.

Taking on X, she said, “I have directed IG Police to refrain from using force against the lawyers. Lawyers must also resolve their matters with the Lahore High Court amicably. For the safety of the citizens of Lhr, confrontation should be avoided.”

Later, Supreme Court Bar Lawyers and Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) announced a “full day” strike tomorrow across Pakistan. They demanded Chief Justice Lahore High Court (LHC) to resolve the issue through reconciliation.

Lawyer associations and bodies across Pakistan condemned the Lahore incident and demanded to register FIRs against police officials involved in using force against the lawyers.