6 Aug 2009

LAHORE: The lawyers again manhandled the journalist community and tried to snatch their cameras at Lahore High Court (LHC) on the occasion of hearing of Suo Moto case of torture on journalists and policeman by the lawyers.

The lawyers tried to expel journalist from the LHC and attacked vehicles of journalists, damaged their cameras and also chanted slogans against Chief Justice Lahore High Court (LHC).

The journalists protested against the incident at GPO Chowk and the traffic was blocked at the Mall Road.

Attorney General Latif Khosa while condemning the incident said that the footage showed on media ashamed him and lawyers leadership should play role to control such incidents in future.

Talking to media, the Attorney General underlined that the leaders of lawyers should tell lawyers that without the support of civil societies, media and people, they (lawyers) cannot succeed in their mission and to performing their professional responsibilities.

Latif Khosa said that Pakistan Bar Council took action against lawyers involved in thrashing Police ASI and journalists and suspended their licenses and bails. The former Federal Law Minister, Dr. Khalid Ranjha has also condemned the torture by lawyers to journalists and chanting slogans by them against Chief Justice Lahore High Court in the premises of the court.

Talking to a private TV channel, Dr. Khalid Ranjha said that the courts are symbol of peace and the Bar Councils should interfere into the matter and to investigate the matter, adding actions should be taken to control such incidents in future. The former Federal minister however also blamed media for the situation, saying it (media) created hype during lawyers’ movement for the restoration of the judiciary.

The well-known journalist Mujeeb-ur-Rehman Shami while commenting on the incident said that it seemed that lawyer whether not serious or cannot control lawyers.

He said that action should be taken against lawyers, otherwise, such incidents in future would create a crisis.

Mujeeb-ur-Rehman Shami said that lawyers’ leadership had termed the incidents of torture by lawyers to Police and journalists a conspiracy against lawyers but the incident again occurred on Thursday in the premises of LHC