Lawyers and Police Clash Outside Lahore High Court

The division of civil courts and terrorism cases against their colleagues resulted in demonstrations and protests by lawyers. On Wednesday, Lawyers organized a rally outside the Lahore High Court. After pushing against the fenced barricade outside the court, they were met with a violent Police reaction. The policemen in their riot gear charged the lawyers with batons as the lawyers threw stones and tried to remove the barricades. The police then resorted to shelling to disperse the lawyers. They also used water cannons to intercede those who were moving forward. Two lawyers were arrested in the process while warning of further administration of arrests if the rioting mob retreated to more aggression.

Since the Bar Association had already announced the inception of the rally, a heavy police contingent was already placed outside the court to combat them. The rally began as a peaceful demonstration but then it turned violent once the lawyers forcefully tried to enter the High Court. The lawyers are adamant on entering the premises of the court regardless of the strict resistance from the Police. Bureau chief Mohammad Bilal states, that all gates and roads to the LHC have been shut so that the lawyers can’t enter. He further added that the situation outside Lahore High Court is “tense” right now.

The situation continues to evolve with rising tensions accompanied by problems in traffic flow specifically on mall roads.