LAHORE: Police arrested several lawyers as protests escalated at GPO Chowk near Lahore High Court on Wednesday.
Lawyers protest the separation of civil courts and terrorism cases against their colleagues.
The Lahore High Court Bar Association refused to negotiate with the police.
On the other hand, the lawyers pursued the petitioners from the courtroom of Justice Anwar-ul-Haq Pannu.
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Operations Faisal Kamran said the police will continue with the arrests but will take legal action if violated by the lawyers.
“The police showed maximum patience and tolerance,” he said, adding that the police only used tear gas after the lawyers threw stones.
“One SHO and one policeman were injured,” he said.
DIG Operations said that there are at least 2,000 personnel for the security of the High Court.
DIG Operations Faisal also reached GPO Chowk to talk to the lawyer.
Lahore High Court Bar Association representative Munir Bhatti said lawyers demand rule of law, justice and independent judiciary in the country.
“We will see whether negotiations will take place,” he said, seeking the withdrawal of court transfer notices and seven Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) cases.
He also said that the lawyers will not return to the high court until the general chamber session.
The lawyer sat on the steps of the Orange Line station to avoid being fired with tear gas by the police.
The metro bus stand at GPO Chowk was closed, affecting the flow of traffic to the mall.
Clashes broke out near the provincial high court this morning after a lawyer was charged by the police.
Protesting lawyers removed barricades around the building and tried to enter the high court and threw stones at the police.
Meanwhile, the police charged with batons and started shooting to disperse the lawyers and blocked the way to the main gate of the court.
The police also used water cannons to prevent the lawyers from coming forward.
A heavy police force was deployed at the gate of the Lahore High Court judge, and police arrested two protesting lawyers.
Meanwhile, the traffic flow in the mall and the adjacent road was severely affected.
At least two to three dozen lawyers protested peacefully outside the court, while police warned them not to proceed. However, the police said the lawyers would be arrested if they resorted to violence.
The local administration was notified of the protest a day in advance, but no authority came to negotiate with the lawyers.
On the other hand, lawyers do not want to enter the courthouse and chant slogans to prevent the police from entering.
Meanwhile, the judge and other lawyers are in the courtroom, but nothing is being done at this time.
The protesting lawyers planned to protest outside the main court of the LHC, but the police prevented them from entering the LHC premises, fearing that the lawyers would try to take the law into their own hands.
