Summary Lawyers are protesting outside SC for not establishing LHC benches in five divisions of Punjab.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Lawyers from various districts of Punjab protested outside Supreme Court and demanded establishment of Lahore High Court (LHC) benches in Gujranwala, Dera Ghazi Khan, Sahiwal, Sargodha and Faisalabad Divisions.
Clashes among police and the lawyers erupted when they tried to enter the SC building. Police baton charged and fired tear gas to disperse the protesters.
Many lawyers and Assistant Commissioner Islamabad were injured during the clashes.
All the injured persons have been shifted to Polyclinic Islamabad, where lawyers also scuffled with doctors.
Earlier, lawyers had reiterated their demand that Lahore High Court (LHC) benches be set up in Gujranwala, Dera Ghazi Khan, Sahiwal, Sargodha and Faisalabad.
They also criticised the judicial system and urged the authorities to revamp it with the help of lawyers.
The lawyers had also announced to boycott those candidates for the Lahore High Court Bar elections who were opposing the establishment of the benches.
According to lawyers, the divisional benches of LHC were need of the hour to provide easy justice for the people at their doorsteps and save their time and money.
Faisalabad lawyers started the movement for the benches in January 2013 with protest strike and lawyers of other divisions joined the movement.
“Viewing the tense situation, the High Court assured the lawyers that their demand would be accepted soon. The lawyers, then in the interest of their clients decided to work two days a week.
Later, Punjab cabinet took notice of the situation and approved establishment of benches but the general elections approached and the lawyers were promised that the benches would be established after the elections.
