Violent protests engulfed Daska, a tehsil of Sialkot, on Monday as protesting lawyers set ablaze several government offices and damaged private property after a police officer killed two lawyers, including the president of the local bar association. Lawyers in Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, and Multan also staged protest demonstration against the killing of their colleagues.
Those killed were identified as Rana Khalid Abbas, the president of the Daska Bar Association, and another lawyer Irfan Chauhan. There were pitched battles between protestors and police across Daska. Charged demonstrators in Daska set the offices of the Deputy Superintendent (DSP), TMA offices and residence of Assistant Commissioner on fire.
Demonstrators entered TMA office and set the record and equipments on fire. They smashed police mobiles and set a bus on fire as well. In Multan, furious lawyers smashed the glass windows of a police mobile van as members of the People's Lawyers Forum demonstrated at Kachehri Chowk. Similar scenes were witnessed in Faisalabad and Gujranwala where lawyers clashed with police personnel.
Inspector General Police (IGP) Punjab Mushtaq Sukhera vowed a transparent inquiry into the Daska incident, saying the probe would be launched in accordance with all legal and justice requirements. He also expressed grief over the loss of lives in the incident. Taking notice of the killings of two lawyers in Daska, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif ordered a swift probe into the incident. "Nobody will be allowed to take the law into their own hands," he said in statement issued in Islamabad.
The Pakistan Bar Council (PBC), the main lawyers' association, announced a nationwide strike on Tuesday, May 26. The PBC said that lawyers will hold protest rallies across the country. The council also announced a three-day mourning. A statement from the PBC vice-chairman condemned the murder of the two lawyers in Daska. The council demanded that the Punjab government immediately arrest the killers and take measures to ensure the protection of lawyers.
Earlier, the Islamabad District Bar and High Court Bar associations also announced a boycott of court proceedings across the country to register their protest. The Punjab Bar Council has also called a strike for May 26. Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court took notice of the killings and summoned the heads of various lawyers organisations. The CJ also sought a report from the Daska district and sessions judge as a meeting went under way in this regard.
During the meeting, it was decided that Rangers personnel would be sought to maintain the law and order situation in violence-hit areas. Punjab Assembly adopted a resolution against the police brutality and demanded strict action against the culprits involved. Chief Minister, Shahbaz Sharif has summoned a report from the regional police officer (RPO) Gujranwala. The CM has expressed grief over the killing of the bar president. He ordered the authorities concerned to provide the best treatment to the injured protesters.
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