Lawyers' Protest Continue in Various Cities of Pakistan      
‘Pakistan Times’ Bureaus Report

LAHORE: The lawyers held protests Saturday to dissent the presidential reference against Non-functional Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, as police baton charged and tear-gassed lawyers in a skirmish in Lahore, the Punjab metropolis.

The lawyers observed complete strike in Lahore High Court and lower courts and stayed away from court proceedings.

The lawyers boycotted court proceedings at Lahore High Court, District Court, Sessions Court, Model Town Katchehry and Cantt Katchehry on the call of various lawyers bodies and tied black armbands as a sign of protest.

Several persons were injured when police and lawyers hurled stones at each other in front of Lahore High Court premises resulting in head injuries to several people.

According to reports amid scuffles among policemen and lawyers, police locked out the main gate of the high court.

Police have cordoned off the high court building and police shelling and baton charge was continued till the last reports.

Karachi

Karachi lawyers were scheduled to observe token strike on seventh day to protest against declaring the Chief Justice non-functional. Karachi Bar Association after police attack on Geo News Islamabad office announced complete strike in Karachi courts.

About 7000 Karachi Bar members condemned the incident and stayed away from court proceedings.

According to another report; Karachi lawyers observed strike on Saturday to protest against attack on Geo News office in Islamabad. Sindh High Court bar has announced strike on Monday.

Karachi lawyers were scheduled to observe token strike on seventh day to protest against declaring the chief justice non-functional. Karachi Bar Association after police attack on Geo News Islamabad office, announced complete strike in Karachi courts today.

About 7000 Karachi Bar members boycotted Courts proceedings and the main gates of city courts and Malir courts judicial complexes were locked out.

Ten members of Karachi Bar have started hunger strike against declaring Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry non-functional and attack on Geo News office in Islamabad.

The High Court lawyers also observed hunger strike, while Sindh High Court Bar Association has announced strike in the high court on Monday.

Meanwhile, Karachi Bar Association has cancelled bar membership of Raja Qureshi Advocate on appearing in the Supreme Judicial Council.●