The Lahore High Court (LHC) ruled that citizens of the country are free to hold peaceful demonstrations to press their demands however they cannot be allowed to take the law into their hands. The court's observations came during hearing of a suo motu notice of the alleged police torture on protesting doctors and sought statements of both sides and medial reports about the incident till January 26.
The Advocate General, Khawaja Haris said that the government is ready to hod negotiation with doctors and resolve their issue. He said that the detained doctors had been released on the order of the Chief Minister, who undertook to remain peaceful in future.
The IG Punjab told the court that doctors blocked and locked the emergency for five hours that caused death of two patients in absence of timely medical assistance. The IG said that the doctors took law into hand despite the fact that police allowed them free hand to hold peaceful protest.
He maintained that police had every right to take legal action against the violators of law. He pointed out that it was settled between the administration and doctors that they would block only one road to record their protest but they blocked all the roads causing severe traffic mess.
Further, he said police had arrested 38 persons after a FIR was lodged by the hospital administration. The President, Pakistan Medical Association (PMA), Punjab, Zahid Mohyudin said that some doctors were still in police custody. Young Doctors' President, Hamid Butt alleged that police indiscriminately tortured the protesters and humiliated women doctors. The court issued notices to PMA Punjab President and law officer.
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